FILM BELT LOADER PACKAGE

Abstract: A film belt package (10) which facilitates loading on support rollers (R) while maintaining the belt (F, F′) protected within the package until loaded on the support rollers. This film belt loader package supports the film belt under tension and in a configuration which substantially replicates its configuration when located on such support rollers. The belt, on its tension support (20, 20′), is enclosed by a member (12) which is adapted to engage such film belt for urging such film belt off of the tension support in order to load such belt on support rollers.

Description: FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a film belt package, and more particularly to a film belt package which facilitates loading of the film belt on support rollers without directly touching the film belt. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, for example, it is a general practice to utilize a film belt with a sensitized surface coating. Such film belt is supported within the reproduction apparatus on rollers for transportation about a closed loop path through appropriate process stations. Periodically the film belt must be exchanged for a fresh film belt. In replacing the film belt, care must be taken to prevent touching the film belt either with the hands or structure surrounding the support rollers since such touching can scratch or otherwise damage the sensitized surface of the belt. An example of a package for storing a film belt and loading such belt on support rollers is shown in U.S. - A - 3,888,577. The package of this patent requires the use of a separate element for applying tension to the film belt. Such tension must be released prior to loading of the belt onto the support rollers. Further, the packaging must be removed prior to belt loading. This exposes the belt surface to potential damage. US-A-4,655,578 is directed to a film belt loader package for packaging a closed loop film belt and facilitating loading of such film belt on support rollers of a reproduction apparatus, said package including means for supporting a closed loop film belt in a configuration which substantially replicates its configuration when located on such support rollers; and means associated with said support means for encasing a film belt supported on said support means, said encasing means including means adapted to engage such film belt for urging such film belt off of said supporting means in order to load such film belt on said support rollers of said reproduction apparatus. GB-A 2 189 327 discloses a module for an electrophotocopier comprising a photoconductive member loosely retained in a cassette, which may also contain one or more process apparatuses. The member may be a drum adapted to fit on a mandrel, or an endless belt adapted to fit on adjustably spaced rollers. The belt is supported by strips when not in the copier. The belt may be protected by a cover in the form of a spring-loaded flap and it may be guided by edge contact means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a film belt package which facilitates loading on support rollers while maintaining the belt protected within the package until loaded on the support rollers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of this invention is accomplished by a film belt loader package as defined by Claim 1. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a view, in perspective, of the film belt loader package according to this invention; Figure 2 is a view, in perspective, of the film belt tensioning support of the film belt loader package of Fig. 1, showing the assembly thereof; Figure 3 is an exploded view, in perspective, of the film belt loader package of Fig. 1; Figure 4 is a view, in perspective, of the film belt loader package according to this invention, showing the operation for loading a film belt on support rollers, with portions broken away to facilitate viewing; Figure 5 is a view, in perspective, of an alternate embodiment of the the tensioning support member of film belt loader package according to this invention; and Figure 6 is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of the tensioning support member taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1, 3 and 4 show the film belt loader package, according to this invention, designated generally by the numeral 10. The package 10 includes a film belt encasing outer member 12 and a film belt tensioning support member 20. The support member 20 is adapted to hold a film belt under tension within the outer member 12. The film belt tensioning support member 20 is formed from a planar sheet of relatively stiff material, such as paperboard for example. The material is folded into an arrangement having a pair of arms 22 interconnected by a channel-like web 24. The arms 22 are erected so as to extend at substantially right angles to the web 24 axis (see Fig. 2), and are configured so as to substantially replicate a roller support for a film belt F. The fold portions 26 of the material forming the transition between the arms 22 and the web 24 urge the arms apart so that the arms form an expandable core. That is, the arms 22 tend to move away from one another in an attempt to return to their unfolded condition. Accordingly, when a film belt F is entrained about the arms 22, the tendency of the arms 22 to move away from one another places the film belt under tension. The film belt encasing outer member 12 is in the general shape of of a rectangular box. Such member is formed from a planar sheet of material similar to that of member 20 for example. The material is folded into the desired box configuration with end 12a forming standard tuck carton-like closure pieces 14. The opposite end 12b of the member 12 is formed with a recessed sealed closure piece 16. The closure piece 16 has a pair of openings 18 defined therein and adapted to accommodate arms 22 of the support member 20. When the arms 22 are fully inserted through the openings 18 of the closure piece 16 of the outer member 12, the web 26 of the support member 20 nests in the recess adjacent to the closure piece 16. A film belt F can then be entrained about the arms 22 of the support member 20, and is maintained under tension by the above-described action of the arms. An advantage of the present invention is that closing of the pieces 14 of the outer member 12 substantially seals the loader package 10 so that the film belt is fully protected, within the encasing member, from physical damage and undue exposure to light. The operation for loading of a film belt F from the loader package 10 onto support rollers R is shown in Fig. 4. The tuck carton-like closure pieces 14 of the outer member 12 are opened, and the ends of arms 22 of the tensioning support member 20 are positioned adjacent to, and in substantial alignment with, free ends of the support rollers R. The outer member 12 is then manually urged in a direction to overlie the rollers. As this member moves, the closure piece 16 engages the marginal edge of the belt between the arms 22. Since the arms 22 are prevented from moving by their engagement with the rollers R, the film belt is forced off of the arms and onto the rollers by the piece 16 of the member 12 without any requirement that the belt be contacted by hand. Further, since the outer member 12 remains in its relative location about the surface of the film belt F as the belt is moved onto the rollers, the surface of the belt is protected from potential damage due to unintentional contact of such surface until the belt is fully received on the rollers. Figs. 5 and 6 show an alternate embodiment for the film belt tensioning support member 20 of Figs. 1-4. Such alternate support member, designated generally by the numeral 20′, is formed from a planar sheet of relatively stiff material such as paperboard for example. First opposing marginal edges 30, 32 of the sheet are loosely folded toward one another such that the transverse cross-sectional shape of the sheet generally replicates the shape of a film belt located on the support rollers R, with a gap 34 between such marginal edges. Second opposing marginal edges 36, 38 of the sheet are folded transversely to the first opposing marginal edges over the gap 34. Marginal edge 36 has a pair of tabs 40 which are respectively inserted through slots 42 formed in the sheet adjacent to the edges 30, 32 on either side of the gap 34. Marginal edge 38 has a pair of tabs 44 which are tapered and have locking notches 46 formed in the outboard portions thereof. The tabs 44 are respectively receivable in slots 48 formed in the sheet adjacent to the edges 30, 32 on either side of the gap 34. As the tapered tabs 44 are inserted into the slots 48 of the sheet 20a′, they force the opposing marginal edges 30, 32 to move in a direction so as to widen the gap 34. The effect of widening the gap is to cause the member 20′ to become an expandable core by expanding the film-supporting portion of the outer perimeter of the sheet. In this manner, a film belt F′ may be readily entrained about the member 20′ and thereafter placed under tension as the tabs 44 are inserted into the slots 48. The member 20′ is held in its tension inducing form when the locking notches 46 are received in the slots 48. After the film belt is entrained about the member 20′, a light tight sheath or bag (not shown) may be placed over a new paper-wrapped film belt to protect the surface of the belt from physical contact or undue light exposure. The bagged film belt on the member 20′ is stored in a box-like structure similar to the member 12 of the embodiment of Figs. 1-4. A portion 50 of the sheet forming the member 20′ has a pair of holes 52 defined therein for aligning the member with support rollers (similar to rollers R of Fig. 4). To load the film belt on support rollers, the bagged film belt on the member 20′ is removed from its box-like structure and the light tight sheath. The member 20′ is aligned with the rollers by placing the openings 52 in engagement therewith, and the film belt is urged off of the member and onto the support rollers by pressure applied through the paper wrap on the film belt. The paper wrap is thereafter removed. In this manner the surface of the belt is protected from potential damage due to unintentional contact with such surface until the belt is fully received on the rollers.

Claims: Film belt loader package (10) for packaging a closed loop film belt (F, F') and facilitating loading of such film belt on support rollers (R) of a reproduction apparatus, said package (10) including means (20, 20') for supporting a closed loop film belt (F, F') in a configuration which substantially replicates its configuration when located on such support rollers (R); and means (12), associated with said support means for encasing a film belt (F, F') supported on said support means, said encasing means (42) including means adapted to engage such film belt for urging such film belt off of said supporting means (20, 20') in order to load such film belt on said support rollers (R) of said reproduction apparatus, characterized by said supporting means (20, 20') including an expandable core for supporting said film belt (F F') under tension, and means (22, 52) for aligning said expandable core with said support rollers (R). Package according to Claim 1 characterized by said expandable core including a pair of arms (22), and means (24) for interconnecting said arms with said film belt (F, F') so that said arms extend substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of said film belt and are urged away from one another. Package according to Claim 2 characterized by said arms (22) being integrally formed with said film belt (F, F'), and said interconnecting means (24) including fold portions (26) between said film belt and said arms (22) respectively. Package according to Claim 2 or 3 characterized by said encasing means comprising a substantially rectangular box-like structure (12) including a body portion, a first end closure (14) for said body portion for selectively closing one end of said body portion, and a second end closure (16) for said body portion, said second end closure defining a pair of openings (18) for receiving said arms (22) of said expandable core into the interior of said body portion. Package according to Claim 4 characterized in that when a film belt (F, F') is supported on said pair of arms (22) within said body portion of said box-like structure (12) and said box-like structure is moved relative to said arms, a portion of said second end closure located between the openings (18) thereof engages such film belt (F, F') and urges the film belt off of said arms (22). Package according to any of the preceding claims characterized by said expandable core (20') including a planar member having a first portion folded into a cross-sectional configuration which substantially replicates the shape of a film belt (F, F') located on support rollers (R) with a gap (34) defined between opposing marginal edges (30, 32) of such folded first portion, a second portion (36, 38) folded over said gap, and means (40, 42, 44, 48) for interrelating said second portion with said first portion so that movement of said second portion expands the cross-sectional configuration of said first portion. Package according to Claim 6 characterized by said interrelating means including a tapered tab (44) on said second portion and a slot (48) defined in said first portion, said slot being adapted to receive said tapered tab of said second portion. Package according to Claim 7 characterized by said tapered tab (44) including a locking notch (46) defined in a marginal edge thereof so that when said locking notch engages an edge of said slot said second portion is locked in position relative to said first portion.

Inventors: CORNELL LORNE THOMAS, KENNEY LAWRENCE P, OHTOLA VICTORIA L, SISTO EUGENE, CORNELL, LORNE THOMAS, KENNEY, LAWRENCE P., OHTOLA, VICTORIA L., SISTO, EUGENE
Applicants: EASTMAN KODAK CO, EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Application year: 1989
Main classification: G03G15
IPC codes: G03G21, G03G15