Method and apparatus for transporting an electrostatic strip

An apparatus for forming, toning and displaying the unfused visible electrostatic image on an electrostatic strip, and alternatively and selectively for erasing the electrostatic's image to permit reuse of the electrostatic strip or for fusing the visible electrostatic image to make a permanent copy thereof includes,

• a. frame means,
• b. a roll of electrostatic strip material rotatably mounted in said frame for providing a source of electrostatic strip material for use in the apparatus,
• c. a generally planar surface means on said frame a predetermined spaced distance from said roll of electrostatic strip material having, a viewing station therein, an inlet end at one end of said viewing station, and an outlet end remote from the inlet end to permit an electrostatic strip to be fed across the viewing station in said planar surface means,
• d. means to feed said electrostatic strip material from the roll or to rewind the same on said roll, and
• e. non-conductive curvilinear reversing guide means mounted in said frame for operative coaction with the feeding and rewinding means and disposed to permit the electrostatic strip to move in one direction into the inlet end of the planar surface means and in the opposite direction to return through the curvilinear reversing guide means when the electrostatic strip is rewound on the roll of electrostatic strip material,
• f. said reversing guide means including,
• i. spaced guide members defining an electrostatic strip passage therebetween, and
• ii. a plurality of longitudinal ribs on the respective opposed faces of the guide members operatively associated for guiding the electrostatic strip between the guide members to and away from the inlet end of the planar surface means whereby the electrostatic strip is prevented from jamming as it moves through the spaced guide members.