US 4,814,798 A · Combined electrographic printer, copier, and telefax machine with duplex capability

Abstract

An electrographic printing apparatus is capable of functioning as a copier, printer, and telefax machine, and is also capable of duplex printing. The electrographic printing apparatus includes a photoconductive member in the form of a disposable cassette which is mounted at an angle in the housing. The apparatus include an optical print head which can receive information from a local or remote source to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive member and thus act as a printer. The apparatus also includes a device for scanning and digitizing an original document. When the digitized image is transmitted to the optical print head, a copy of the original document is produced. When the digitized image is transmitted over the telephone lines to a remote receiver, the apparatus functions as a telefax machine. The electrographic printing apparatus also includes a first paper path along which a sheet of paper travels and is imprinted on one side by the photoconductive member, and a second paper path which receives the sheet of paper from the first paper path, turns the paper over, and returns it to the first paper path for imprinting on a second side. A paper tray with sidewalls is also provided. The paper tray acts as an alignment correction system before a sheet of paper being duplex printed is imprinted on its second side. Alternatively, the paper tray can serve as a second source of paper for introducing paper into the apparatus.

Claims45

Dependent claims

An electrographic printing apparatus for producing hard copies of information on a sheet of paper or the like, comprising

a housing,
a photoconductive member,
means for uniformly charging said photoconductive member,
means for selectively discharging said photoconductive member in response to information received from a local or a remote source,
scanning means for scanning and digitizing an original document and for producing a data stream corresponding to information contained on said original document,
transmission means for transmitting said data stream to a remote location, and
a controller for selectively actuating said selective discharge means, said scanning means, and said transmission means so that said electrographic printing apparatus is switchable between printing information received from a local source, printing information received from a remote source, scanning and copying an original document, and scanning and transmitting an image of an original document to a remote location,
said electrographic printing apparatus further comprising a first paper path along which a sheet of paper travels, said first paper path being operative to bring a first side of said sheet into contact with said photoconductive member in a transfer zone to imprint said first side of said sheet, and
a second paper path operative to receive said sheet from said first paper path, to turn said sheet over, and to return said sheet to said first paper path at a location prior to said transfer zone so that a second side of said sheet is imprinted.

6 more elements

An electrographic printing apparatus for imprinting a sheet of paper or the like, comprising

a source of paper,
a housing,
a photoconductive member for storing an electrostatic image and for imprinting said paper
means for uniformly charging said photoconductive member,
means for selectively discharging said photoconductive member in response to information received from a local or a remote source,
scanning means for scanning and digitizing an original document and producing a data stream corresponding to information contained on said original document,
transmission means for transmitting said data stream to a remote location,
a controller for selectively actuating said selective discharge means, said scanning means, and said transmission means, so that said electrographic printing apparatus is switchable between printing information received from a local source, printing information received from a remote source, copying an original document, and transmitting an image of an original document to a remote location,
a paper path along which said paper travels, said paper path comprising a loop and a branch extending therefrom, and
paper transport means for receiving said paper from said source, for passing said paper along said loop wherein said photoconductive member imprints a first side of said paper, for turning said paper over, for passing said paper into said branch, and for returning said paper to said loop a second time for imprinting a second side of said paper.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combined electrographic printer, copier, and telefax machine with duplex capability

Life of this patent

Combined electrographic printer, copier, and telefax machine with duplex capability

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims45