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Class 399 - Electrophotography

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411 Subclasses


Subclasses list

Definition

This class provides for electrophotographically reproducing an original (e.g., document) by the action of light directly from the original to a photoconductive member whose electrical conductivity, electrical charge, magnetic condition, or electrical emissivity of a photoconductive medium is selectively altered by the action of light to produce an electrostatic latent image which persists after imaging based upon differences in such electrical property. The latent image is made visible by development; and the developed image may be made permanent by transfer and fixing, or fixing. This class provides for the subcombinations directed to charging, developing, transferring, fixing, cleaning, or sheet feeding for an electrophotographic apparatus whether or not the imaging light is directly from the original. This class also provides for methods and means for perfecting the apparatus provided above (e.g., control of electrophotographic process, diagnostics, operator interface, etc.).

(1) Note. The apparatus herein classified generally involves the application of a uniform electrostatic charge to a photoresponsive medium comprising a conductive support coated with a photoconductive insulator. Latent electrostatic images are formed by exposure of an original directly onto the photoresponsive medium through an optical lens system. The charge applied to the light sensitive medium is selectively discharged by exposure and remains only on selected portions of the photoresponsive medium (i.e., those areas which correspond to the original image). The photoresponsive medium is moved to a developing station where toner is applied to the charged areas of the photoresponsive medium forming a visible image thereupon. The photoresponsive medium is then moved to a transfer station where the toned image is transferred to a copy substrate (e.g., a piece of paper). The toned substrate is then fed to a fixing station where the toner is permanently affixed to the paper, usually by heat or pressure. The photoresponsive medium is then moved to a cleaning station where untransferred toner and any leftover electrical charge are removed so another copy cycle can begin. (2) Note. The use of the limitation "directly" above excludes image formation systems in which an image of an original is detected and converted to electrical signals which are subsequently utilized to generate further illumination signals to optically form an image of the original on the medium. This excluded subject matter may be found, for example, in Class 347, subclasses 112+, and in Class 358, subclasses 400-304 and more specifically 401. However, the nominal recitation of a light image to an electrical signal or an equivalent statement would not serve to exclude subject matter from Class 399. Also, Electrophotography has no modification of converted electrical signals. OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS Each subclass definition may contain an OTHER CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS listing that is to be used for informational purposes only. These classification listings may change at any time after their publication and are therefore not guaranteed to be current. In addition, the classification listing does not necessarily indicate the sole relationship between the U.S. Patent Classification System and foreign classifications. Even where a single classification is listed for a single U.S. subclass, a one-to-one correlation should not be inferred. As a result, information contained therein is considered to be only a guide to related subject matter. Types of other classification systems may include IPC6 which indicates an International Patent Classification (sixth edition) of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), JPO/FI which indicates the Japanese Patent Office and its File Index (FI is a subdivision of the IPC with related subject matter) classifications, or the European Patent Classification (EPC) which indicates the European Patent Office"s classification and also further subdivides the IPC into related subject matter.

Lines with other classes and within this class

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY APPARATUS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

In Class 250, Radiant Energy, subclass 315.3 provides for xerographic copying methods and apparatus which utilize invisible radiation, subclass 317.1 provides for infrared or thermal image document pattern copying methods or apparatus, and subclasses 582 and 583 provides for methods and apparatus to expose by radiant energy a recording detector. Copying methods are classified in Class 430, Radiation Imagery Chemistry: Process, Composition, or Product Thereof.

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY APPARATUS COMBINED WITH ANOTHER STRUCTURE OR STRUCTURES AND CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

Claims which recite apparatus for photographing something other than an original or carrier as herein defined and also for copying an original or carrier are classified in Class 396, Photography, especially subclasses 310+, 322+, and 429+, or Class 346, Recorders. Class 386, Television Signal Processing for Dynamic Recording or Reproducing, subclasses 30, 42, 43, 128+, and 130+ provide for the photocopying which includes forming a television image where a cathode-ray tube is recited. Class 396, Photography, subclasses 429+, provides for patents where only a nominal cathode-ray tube is recited. The combination of a detailed register with a broadly or specifically claimed copier is classified in Class 235, Registers. (See the first paragraph of the Class 235 class definition.)

ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY SUBCOMBINATIONS CLASSIFIED ELSEWHERE

Class 226, Advancing Material of Indeterminate Length, especially subclasses 52+, provides for film advancing mechanisms where no more than a nominal optical or photocopying element is claimed. Photographic lights and projection lights, per se, are in Class 362, Illumination, subclasses 3+ and 257+. Class 271, Sheet Feeding or Delivering, provides for sheet feeding or delivering means where no specific electrophotographic structure is recited. Class 359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements, provides for lenses in subclasses 642+, reflectors in subclasses 838+, and optical absorption filters in subclasses 885+.

 
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