Patent Application
20080184606
This invention relates generally to electrophotographic marking machines and more specifically to thin skinned removable covers for exterior machine parts.
In Xerography or an electrostatographic marking machine and process, a uniform electrostatic charge is placed upon a photoreceptor surface. The charged surface is then exposed to a light image of an original to selectively dissipate the charge to form a latent electrostatic image of the original. The latent image is developed by depositing finely divided and charged particles of toner upon the photoreceptor surface. The charged toner being electrostatically attached to the latent electrostatic image areas to create a visible replica of the original. The developed image is then usually transferred from the photoreceptor surface to a final support material, such as paper, and the tone image is fixed thereto to form a permanent record corresponding to the original.
In most Xerographic copiers or printers, a photoreceptor surface is generally arranged to move in an endless path through the various processing stations of the xerographic process. Since the photoreceptor surface is reusable, the toner image is then transferred to a final support material, such as paper, and the surface of the photoreceptor is prepared to be used once again for the reproduction of a copy of an original. In this endless path, several conventional Xerographic related stations are traversed by the photoconductive belt. These “conventional” stations include charge stations, exposure stations, development stations, transfer stations, detach stations, fusing stations and cleaning stations.
When a problem develops in any of these conventional stations, access to the stations is usually preceded by opening separate outside doors or covers that are adjacent each station. These doors or covers are generally located on the front or sides of the copier machine and constitute the exterior appearance of the machine.
In some instances customers request customization of their machines to include their company logo or to make them more attractive by, in some cases, fitting into the decor of their room or office, i.e. same color or with paneling, etc. Also, as noted above, access to the various stations can be simplified by color coding each door, for example, access door to development station could be blue, to the fuser station red, etc. To change the exterior design or color or appearance by replacing each door or panel would be an expensive proposition. Also, for resale or renting of copier machines, it doesn't make economic sense to expend substantial costs in accommodating these above objectives. In addition, tooling costs for new doors or to change door designs would involve expenditures of at least 100 thousand dollars.
This invention provides use of inexpensive removable covers attachable to the outside doors or other exterior parts of Xerographic products in order to change their appearance or to convey information. The intent is to provide flexibility in accommodating cover design changes without the expense of making new tooling. The invention and its embodiments provide the use of thin (1-3 mm) vacuum formed “skins” or covers. These “skins” would attach to the existing covers with an adhesive or other suitable attachment means and provide for options such as customer logos, color matching, color-coded access door to stations or other corporate identity changes. These thin “skins” do not impair structural integrity because the original covers are still there together with this skin new surface. Also, by capturing all four edges of a door or panel, this skin permits lesser strength adhesives to be used.
These doors or covers are easily removable if the customer desires a different design or color, or if the machine is to be resold. Also, when machines are rented, the machine supplier such as Xerox Corp. can easily remove the plastic skin or cover for a new rental customer's desired design. This thin-skinned, vacuum-formed plastic cover, therefore, could be used at a low cost and easily fastened to the outside of a door (or panel) for a new look. There are different ways to fasten the outer skin or cover to the door or panel; one way is to use double back adhesive on the inside of the skin or cover and press it and adhere it over the door or panel. Structurally, the door or panel is still as strong as originally designed but with the desired unique look.
The thickness of the removable skin or cover of this invention is generally governed by the tolerances or space between the adjacent doors or panels to be covered. In one embodiment the use o 1-3 mm thick skins gave exceptional results of wear, cost and fit. Obviously, any suitable thickness could be used provided it does not interfere with the tolerances between doors such as preventing opening and closing of doors.
Vacuum forming is an ideal and preferred method for forming the skin or cover of this invention. This method, for example, involves costs of about 10% the cost of injection molding and therefore is the method of choice. Since the skins or covers are disposable and removable, costs become an important consideration. A typical vacuum forming process is illustrated in
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In summary, embodiments of this invention provide an electrophotographic marking machine comprising in an operative arrangement, an outside structure or housing, conventional processing stations located sequentially within the housing and doors or access panels to the machine interior located in the housing. At least one of the doors or panels has removably coated thereon by a connector, a plastic skin or cover which conforms substantially to the exterior structure of the doors or panels. These doors or panels are adjacent each other with a space or gap therebetween. The skin has a thickness not exceeding the space or gap. This plastic skin has a color or design different from the original color or design on the doors or panels. In one embodiment, the skin or cover is made by a vacuum-forming process. The skin is constructed of a member selected from the group consisting of ABS, polycarbonate, polypropylene, acrylic PVC, HDPE and mixtures thereof. The skin has a double-backed adhesive or connector for attachment of the skin to the doors or panels. The removal of the skin from the door or panels is accomplished by removal of the skin-door connector. The skin in one embodiment has a thickness of from about 1-3 mm. These access panel(s) or doors permit entrance to an interior of the housing and each of the doors or panels is color coded using the skins to designate the station or stations accessible from the access panel(s) or doors.
In a preferred embodiment, this marking machine comprises in an operative arrangement, an outside housing, conventional processing stations located sequentially within the interior of the housing and exterior movable doors or panels that permit access to the interior of the machine and permit access to all of the processing stations. The doors or panels are positioned adjacent at least one processing station and the doors or panels are located adjacent each other on the interior and exterior of the housing. A space or gap or separation is located between each door or panel to permit easy opening and closing of the door or panel. Each door or panel has a predetermined size, configuration, color or design. The plastic cover or skin is enabled to cover substantially all of an exterior portion of the door or panel The skin has substantially the same size and configuration of the doors or panels except for a skin portion that fits beyond the door or panel into the space or separation between each door or panel.
In one embodiment, the marking machine comprises a skin that has a connection or adhesive for attachment to the doors or panels. The marking machine has a skin that attaches to all four edges of a door or panel and thereby provides a stronger adhesion to the door or panel outer surface.
It will be appreciated that various of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.
