Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6219500
-
Patent Number
6,219,500
-
Date Filed
Monday, February 7, 200024 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, April 17, 200123 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
- Bushnell, Esq.; Robert E.
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 399 249
- 399 251
- 399 345
- 399 398
- 399 75
- 399 57
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a wrap-around developer liquid removal arrangement for removing a wrap-around developer liquid. The removal arrangement compensates for malfunction or poor operation of an air nozzle for spraying airtoward the wrap-around developer liquid on both edges of a first squeegee roller usually provided in a development arrangement to avoid a wrap-around problem. The wrap-around developer liquid removing arrangement includes an optical sensor module provided directly under both edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for detecting the presence of the wrap-around developer liquid sticking to the photoreceptor belt, a second squeegee roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid while selectively contacting the photoreceptor belt or a heating roller of a drying unit according to a signal indicative of the detection result of the optical sensor module, and a driver unit for selectively driving the second squeegee roller.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from my application DEVELOPER LIQUID SQUEEGEE APPARATUS FOR LIQUID ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTER filed with the Korean Industrial Property Office on Feb. 6, 1999 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 4096/1999.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a liquid electrophotographic printer and, more particularly, to a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for removing excess developer liquid sticking to and wrapped around the recording surface of a photosensitive medium.
2. Related Art
A liquid electrophotographic printer develops a latent electrostatic image formed on a photosensitive medium using a developer liquid and prints a desired image.
In such a printer, a development region having substantially the same width as that of a development roller of the printer is formed on a photoreceptor belt. Developer liquid sticking to the development region is compressed by a squeegee roller, and only the developer liquid required for development of the latent electrostatic image remains thereon, with excess developer liquid being removed.
However, a problem arises in that the excess developer liquid tends to be pushed outside the development region of the photoreceptor belt by a wrap-around phenomenon in which the excess developer liquid moves to both edges of the squeegee roller along a gap between the squeegee roller and the photoreceptor belt. In that case, an air nozzle can be used to spray air toward the wrap-around developer liquid, thereby preventing the wrap-around developer liquid from flowing outside the development region of the photoreceptor belt.
However, a further problem arises in that, if the air is not properly sprayed or the air spraying force is weak due to clogging of the air nozzle or malfunction of a pump associated therewith, the wrap-around developer liquid flows toward both edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt. Thus, the wrap-around developer liquid results in developer liquid contamination and degrading of print quality in the printed image. In particular, in the case of a color printer, discoloration of the printed image may occur due to mingling of differently colored inks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer having enhanced print quality by additionally providing an arrangement for cleaning developer liquid wrap-around outside the development region of a photoreceptor belt.
In order to achieve the above object, there is provided a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer comprising a first squeegee roller for squeegeeing developer liquid supplied to a development region of a photoreceptor belt and removing excess developer liquid, a pair of air nozzles for spraying air toward both edges of the first squeegee roller to prevent the wrap-around developer liquid from being induced thereto, a heating roller for drying the developer liquid on an image developed on the development region of the photoreceptor belt; and a wrap-around developer liquid removing arrangement provided between the first squeegee roller and the heating roller.
According to the present invention, the wrap-around developer liquid removing arrangement includes a detector provided directly under both edges of the development region of the. photoreceptor belt for detecting the presence of the wrap-around developer liquid sticking to both edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt, a second squeegee roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid sticking to both edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt while selectively contacting the photoreceptor belt and rotating according to a signal transmitted from an optical sensor module and indicative of the detection result, and a driving unit for driving the second squeegee roller to selectively contact the photoreceptor belt.
In addition, a ring-shaped cleaning member which is brought into contact with both edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt to remove the developer liquid thereon may be provided at both ends of the second squeegee roller.
Preferably, the driving unit includes a frame having one end rotated by the driving of the actuator and which rotatably supports both ends of the second squeegee roller, and a controller for driving the actuator according to the signal transmitted from the detector, the second squeegee roller selectively contacting the photoreceptor belt or the heating roller according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation ofthe invention, and may ofthe attendant advantages, thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein:
FIG. 1
is a schematic diagram illustrating essential parts of a liquid electrophotographic printer;
FIG. 2
is a plan view schematically illustrating essential parts of a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for the liquid electrophotographic printer shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
illustrates a state in which developer liquid is wrapped around the squeegee apparatus in the liquid electrophotographic printer shown in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram illustrating essential parts of a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer according to the present invention;
FIG. 5
is an extracted view schematically showing essential parts of the developer liquid squeegee apparatus shown in
FIG. 4
; and
FIG. 6
is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a second squeegee roller shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1
is a schematic diagram illustrating essential parts of a liquid electrophotographic printer. As shown in
FIG. 1
, a liquid electrophotographic printer includes a photoreceptor belt
100
circulating on an endless track around a plurality of rotation rollers
101
and
102
, laser scanning units (LSUs)
120
installed in the vicinity of the photoreceptor belt
100
, a development unit
110
, a drying unit
130
and a printing unit
140
.
The LSUs
120
form latent electrostatic images on a transfer surface ofthe photoreceptor belt
100
by irradiating laser beams. The development unit
110
supplies developer liquid to the latent electrostatic image and develops the same. An image formed by the developer liquid on the latent electrostatic image of the photoreceptor belt
100
is dried by a drying roller
131
and heating rollers
132
of the dry unit
130
and then transferred to a recording sheet
10
as an image by a transfer roller
141
and a pressing roller
142
of the printing unit
140
.
The development unit
110
includes a developer liquid supplier
116
for supplying developer liquid
111
, a development roller
112
, a cleaning roller
113
, a squeegee roller
114
, an air nozzle
115
and a blade B.
The developer liquid supplier
116
supplies developer liquid
111
between the development roller
112
and the photoreceptor belt
100
, and the cleaning roller
113
removes developer liquid
111
remaining on the surface of the development roller
112
. The squeegee roller
114
removes excess developer liquid from the latent electrostatic image formed on the photoreceptor belt
100
. The blade B removes developer liquid from the surface of the squeegee roller
114
.
FIG. 2
is a plan view schematically illustrating essential parts of a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for the liquid electrophotographic printer shown in
FIG. 1
, and
FIG. 3
illustrates a state in which developer liquid is wrapped around the squeegee apparatus in the liquid electrophotographic printer shown in FIG.
1
.
As shown in
FIG. 2
, a development region
100
a
having substantially the same width as that of the development roller
112
is formed on the photoreceptor belt
100
. Developer liquid
111
sticking to the development region
100
a
is compressed by the squeegee roller
114
, and only the developer liquid required for development of the latent electrostatic image remains thereon, with excess developer liquid being removed.
The excess developer liquid tends to be pushed outside the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
by a wrap-around phenomenon in which the excess developer liquid moves to both edges of the squeegee roller
114
along the gap between the squeegee roller
114
and the photoreceptor belt
100
. The air nozzle
115
sprays air toward the wrap-around developer liquid W, thereby preventing the wrap-around developer liquid W from flowing outside the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
.
However, in the case where the air is not properly sprayed or the air spraying force is weak due to clogging of the air nozzle
115
or malfunction of a pump P, as shown in
FIG. 3
, the wrap-around developer liquid
111
′ flows toward both edges of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
. Thus, the wrap-around developer liquid
111
′ results in developer liquid contamination, degrading print quality in the printed image. In particular, in the case of a color printer, discoloration of the printed image may occur due to mingling of differently colored inks.
FIG. 4
is a schematic diagram illustrating essential parts of a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer according to the present invention, and
FIG. 5
is an extracted view schematically showing essential parts of the developer liquid squeegee apparatus shown in FIG.
4
.
Referring to
FIGS. 4 and 5
, a developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer according to the present invention includes a first squeegee roller
114
for squeegeeing developer liquid supplied to a development region
100
a
of a photoreceptor belt
100
and removing excess developer liquid, an air nozzle
115
for spraying air toward both edges of the first squeegee roller
114
, a heating roller
132
for drying developer liquid on an image developed on the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
, and a wrap-around developer liquid removing arrangement
200
provided between the first squeegee roller
114
and the heating roller
132
. In
FIG. 4
, the same reference numerals as those used in
FIGS. 1
thru
3
are used to denote identical elements.
According to the present invention, in order to remove wrap-around developer liquid induced into both edges of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
due to malfunction or abnormal operation of the air nozzle
115
, the wrap-around developer liquid removing arrangement
200
includes an optical sensor module
210
, a second squeegee roller
220
and a driving unit
230
for driving these elements.
The optical sensor module
210
includes a light emitting diode (not shown) and a light receiving diode (not shown), and is disposed directly under both edges of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
. The optical sensor module
210
detects the presence of the wrap-around developer liquid sticking to both edges of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
, and transmits a signal indicative of the detection result to the second squeegee roller
220
via a controller
240
.
The second squeegee roller
220
selectively contacts the photoreceptor belt
100
or the heating roller
132
according to the signal transmitted from the optical sensor module
210
via a controller
240
.
The driving unit
230
for driving the second squeegee roller
220
includes a holder
231
for rotatably supporting both ends of the second squeegee roller
220
, a frame
232
for rotatably supporting the holder
231
, an actuator
233
for selectively rotating the holder
231
, and a controller
240
for driving the actuator
233
according to the signal transmitted from the optical sensor module
210
.
According to the present invention a cylinder or a solenoid may be used as the actuator
233
. In this case, the driving shaft
233
a
of the cylinder or solenoid is connected to a protrusion
231
a
provided in the holder
231
, and the driving shaft
233
a
reciprocates linearly to interact with the protrusion
231
a
, thereby rotating the holder
231
. The holder
231
is axially coupled to both ends of the second squeegee roller
220
to allow rotation of the second squeegee roller
220
, and holder
231
is hinged to the frame
232
so as to be rotated.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a cam mechanism connected to the driving shaft of a driving motor to be rotated may be used as the actuator
233
. According to this configuration, although not shown, the cam mechanism interferes with the protrusion
231
a
of the holder
231
by the driving of a driving motor (not shown) to thus rotate the holder
231
, thereby selectively bringing the second squeegee roller
220
into contact with the photoreceptor belt
100
or the heating roller
132
.
Therefore, in the present invention, the actuator
233
can be implemented by various means, known to those of skill in the art, which means can interact with the protrusion
231
a
of the holder
231
for rotation, and such means are not limited to specific embodiments described above.
FIG. 6
is a partially exploded perspective view illustrating a second squeegee roller shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5
.
According to the present invention, as shown in
FIG. 6
, a ring-shaped cleaning member
221
which surrounds the outer circumferential surface of the second squeegee roller
220
is provided at both ends of the second squeegee roller
220
. The cleaning member
221
has a double-layered structure comprised of an inner non-absorptive layer
221
a
making contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second squeegee roller
220
, and an outer absorptive layer
221
b
stacked on the non-absorptive layer
221
a
. The non-absorptive layer
221
a
is preferably made of urethane rubber, and the absorptive layer
221
b
is preferably made of sponge or a foam material.
In the aforementioned developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer, according to the present invention, in a situation where the developer liquid transferred to the photoreceptor belt
100
by the development roller
112
of the development unit
110
sticks to a development region
100
a
having the same width as that of the development roller
112
, only that volume of developer liquid required for development remains on the development region
100
a
, and excess developer liquid is removed by the first squeegee roller
114
. Some of the excess developer liquid causes the wrap-around phenomenon or problem in which the developer liquid deviates from the development region
100
a
along the gap between the squeegee roller
114
and the photoreceptor belt
100
. In that case, the air nozzle
115
sprays air toward the wrap-around developer liquid, thereby preventing the developer liquid from flowing out of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
.
However, in the case where the air is not properly sprayed or the pressure of the sprayed air is weak due to clogging of the air nozzle
115
or malfunction of pump P, the wrap-around developer liquid flows toward both edges of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
and sticks thereto. When the wrap-around developer liquid sticking to regions other than the development region
100
a
ofthe photoreceptor belt
100
migrates to the drying unit
130
, the presence of the wrap-around developer liquid is detected by the optical sensor module
210
. For example, the optical sensor module
210
can detect the presence ofthe wrap-around developer liquid by comparing light reflectivity for the case where the developer liquid does not stick to regions other than the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
with light reflectivity for the case where the developer liquid sticks to the development region
100
a.
When the presence of the wrap-around developer liquid is detected by the optical sensor module
210
, a signal indicative of the detection result is transmitted to the controller
240
of the driving unit
230
so as to control the actuator
233
to be driven. Then, the actuator
233
rotates the holder
231
, supporting both ends of the second squeegee roller
220
, so as to bring the second squeegee roller
220
into contact with the recording plane of the photoreceptor belt
100
.
When the second squeegee roller
220
rotates into contact with the recording plane of the photoreceptor belt
100
, it lightly presses the recording plane, and it removes the wrap-around developer liquid. Here, the absorptive layer
221
b
of the ring-shaped cleaning member
221
, provided at both ends of the second squeegee roller
220
, contacts both edges of the development region
100
a
of the photoreceptor belt
100
and absorbs the wrap-around developer liquid therefrom. The non-absorptive layer
221
a
prevents the developer liquid absorbed by the absorptive layer
221
b
from flowing downward to the surface of the second squeegee roller
220
. The removal of wrap-around developer liquid by the cleaning member
221
of the second squeegee roller
220
is continuously performed while the photoreceptor belt
100
travels.
According to the present invention, a reference absorption amount of wrap-around developer liquid which can be absorbed by the cleaning member
221
of the second squeegee roller
220
is measured in advance. For example, the reference absorption amount is calculated by measuring the traveling distance of the photoreceptor belt
100
or the number of revolutions ofthe second squeegee roller
220
, each of which corresponds to the reference absorption amount. Thus, while the cleaning member
221
of the second squeegee roller
220
performs the wrap-around developer liquid removal operation, a determination is made as to whether the traveling distance of the photoreceptor belt
100
or the number of revolutions of the second squeegee roller
220
reaches a reference absorption amount. Then, a signal indicative of the result of such determination is applied to the controller
240
so as to cause the actuator
233
to be driven. Accordingly, the actuator
233
rotates the holder
231
, supporting both ends of the second squeegee roller
220
, so as to bring the second squeegee roller
220
into contact with the heating roller
132
. At this point, one cycle of the wrap-around developer liquid removal operation by the cleaning member
221
of the second squeegee roller
220
is completed, and the cleaning member
221
, which is in contact with the heating roller
132
, is heated so that the wrap-around developer liquid absorbed by the absorptive layer
231
b
of the cleaning member
221
is evaporated for subsequent recovery.
As described above, in the developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer according to the present invention, in the case of malfunction of an air nozzle for spraying air toward the wrap-around developer liquid on both edges of a squeegee roller provided in a development unit to avoid a wrap-around problem, or in the case of weak air pressure, the presence of the wrap-around developer liquid is detected by an optical sensor module, and the wrap-around developer liquid is removed by a second squeegee roller. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the recovery efficiency of the developer liquid and to prevent degradation in print quality due to mingling or contamination due to non-removal of the wrap-around developer liquid by the first squeegee roller and air nozzles.
It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed herein as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the present invention, but rather that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described in this specification except as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
- 1. A developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer, comprising:a first squeegee roller for squeegeeing developer liquid supplied to a development region of a photoreceptor belt and removing excess developer liquid; a pair of air nozzles for spraying air toward both edges of the first squeegee roller to prevent a wrap-around developer liquid from being induced thereto; a heating roller for drying the developer liquid on an image developed on the development region of the photoreceptor belt; and wrap-around developer liquid removing means provided between the first squeegee roller and the heating roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid from the development region, said wrap-around developer liquid removing means comprising a detector provided directly under edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for detecting a presence of the wrap-around developer liquid at the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt, and a second squeegee roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid at the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt while selectively contacting the photoreceptor belt and rotating according to a signal, indicative of a detection result transmitted by the detector.
- 2. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wrap-around developer liquid removing means further comprises:a driving unit for driving the second squeegee roller to selectively contact the photoreceptor belt.
- 3. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit drives the second squeegee roller to selectively contact at least one of the photoreceptor belt and the heating roller according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
- 4. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the driving unit comprises:an actuator; a frame having an end rotated by the actuator and rotatably supporting the ends ofthe second squeegee roller; and a controller for driving the actuator according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
- 5. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the actuator is one of a cylinder, a solenoid and a cam driven by a driving motor.
- 6. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a ring-shaped cleaning member provided at the ends of the second squeegee roller and brought into contact with the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt to remove the developer liquid.
- 7. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the ring-shaped cleaning member has a stacked structure including at least two layers comprising a non-absorptive layer which makes contact with outer circumferential surfaces of the ends of the second squeegee roller, and an absorptive layer surrounding the non-absorptive layer and brought into contact with the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for absorbing the developer liquid.
- 8. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the non-absorptive layer of the ring-shaped cleaning member is made of urethane rubber.
- 9. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the absorptive layer is made of at least one of sponge and a foaming material.
- 10. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the detector comprises an optical sensor module having a light emitting diode and a light receiving diode.
- 11. A developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer, comprising:a first squeegee roller for squeegeeing developer liquid supplied to a development region of a photoreceptor belt and removing excess developer liquid; a heating roller for drying the developer liquid on an image developed on the development region of the photoreceptor belt; and wrap-around developer liquid removing means provided between the first squeegee roller and the heating roller for removing wrap-around developer liquid from the development region, said wrap-around developer liquid removing means comprising a detector provided directly under edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for detecting a presence of the wrap-around developer liquid at the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt, and a second squeegee roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid at the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt while selectively contacting the photoreceptor belt and rotating according to a signal, indicative of a detection result, transmitted by the detector.
- 12. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the wrap-around developer liquid removing means further comprises:a driving unit for driving the second squeegee roller to selectively contact the photoreceptor belt.
- 13. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the driving unit drives the second squeegee roller to selectively contact at least one of the photoreceptor belt and the heating roller according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
- 14. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the driving unit comprises:an actuator; a frame having an end rotated by the actuator and rotatably supporting the ends of the second squeegee roller; and a controller for driving the actuator according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
- 15. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the actuator is one of a cylinder, a solenoid and a cam driven by a driving motor.
- 16. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 11, further comprising a ring-shaped cleaning member provided at the ends of the second squeegee roller and brought into contact with the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt to remove the developer liquid.
- 17. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the ring-shaped cleaning member has a stacked structure including at least two layers comprising a non-absorptive layer which makes contact with outer circumferential surfaces of the ends of the second squeegee roller, and an absorptive layer surrounding the non-absorptive layer and brought into contact with the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for absorbing the developer liquid.
- 18. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the non-absorptive layer of the ring-shaped cleaning member is made of urethane rubber.
- 19. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the absorptive layer is made of at least one of sponge and a foaming material.
- 20. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the detector comprises an optical sensor module having a light emitting diode and a light receiving diode.
- 21. A developer liquid squeegee apparatus for a liquid electrophotographic printer comprising:a first squeegee roller for squeegeeing developer liquid supplied to a development region of a photoreceptor belt and removing excess developer liquid; a pair of air nozzles for spraying air toward both edges of the first squeegee roller to prevent a wrap-around developer liquid from being induced thereto; and wrap-around developer liquid removing means provided downstream of the first squeegee roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid from a development region of the photoreceptor belt, said wrap-around developer liquid removing means comprising a detector provided directly under edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for detecting a presence of the wrap-around developer liquid at the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt, and a second squeegee roller for removing the wrap-around developer liquid at the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt while selectively contacting the photoreceptor belt and rotating according to a signal indicative of a detection result transmitted by the detector.
- 22. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the wrap-around developer liquid removing means further comprises:a driving unit for driving the second squeegee roller to selectively contact the photoreceptor belt.
- 23. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the driving unit drives the second squeegee roller to selectively contact the photoreceptor belt according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
- 24. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the driving unit comprises:an actuator; a frame having an end rotated by the actuator and rotatably supporting the ends of the second squeegee roller; and a controller for driving the actuator according to the signal transmitted from the detector.
- 25. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 24, wherein the actuator is one of a cylinder, a solenoid and a cam driven by a driving motor.
- 26. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising a ring-shaped cleaning member provided at the ends of the second squeegee roller and brought into contact with the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt to remove the developer liquid.
- 27. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the ring-shaped cleaning member has a stacked structure including at least two layers comprising a non-absorptive layer which makes contact with outer circumferential surfaces of the ends of the second squeegee roller, and an absorptive layer surrounding the non-absorptive layer and brought into contact with the edges of the development region of the photoreceptor belt for absorbing the developer liquid.
- 28. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 27, wherein the non-absorptive layer of the ring-shaped cleaning member is made of urethane rubber.
- 29. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 28, wherein the absorptive layer is made of at least one of sponge and a foaming material.
- 30. The developer liquid squeegee apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the detector comprises an optical sensor module having a light emitting diode and a light receiving diode.
Priority Claims (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
99-4096 |
Feb 1999 |
KR |
|
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Number |
Name |
Date |
Kind |
5481342 |
Arcaro et al. |
Jan 1996 |
|
5576815 |
Tecshendorf et al. |
Nov 1996 |
|