EP0257907A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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A particle transport
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1987-08-11
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2007-08-11
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus in which particles are moved from one end of a duct (88) to the other end thereof. The particles in the duct are fluidized by an alongate member (90) mounted for rotation or vibration within the duct. A pressure differential is generated which moves the fluidized particles from a container (40) at one end of the duct to a particle transport (74) at the other end thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Bares
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:04
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for moving particles from one end of a duct (88) to the other end thereof, characterised by means (90) for fluidizing the particles in the duct; and means (42) for generating a pressure differential to move the fluidized particles in the duct from one end to the other end thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for moving particles from one end of a duct (88) to the other end thereof, characterised by means (90) for fluidizing the particles in the duct; and means (42) for generating a pressure differential to move the fluidized particles in the duct from one end to the other end thereof.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member (10), including: means (40) for storing a supply of marking particles; means (74) for transporting marking particles into contact with the latent image recorded on the image receiving member; and means (90, 42) for fluidizing the marking particles and moving the marking particles from said storing means to said transporting means.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image recorded on an image receiving member (10), including: means (40) for storing a supply of marking particles; means (74) for transporting marking particles into contact with the latent image recorded on the image receiving member; and means (90, 42) for fluidizing the marking particles and moving the marking particles from said storing means to said transporting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said moving and fluidizing means includes: a duct (88) extending from said storing means (40) to said transporting means (74); means (90) for fluidizing the marking particles in said duct; and means (42) for generating a pressure differential to cause the fluidized marking particles in said duct to move from said storing means to said transporting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
50 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein said transporting means comprises a donor roller (74) and includes a blade (82) resiliently urged into engagement with the roller for metering and electrically charging the marking particles being advanced into contact with the latent image by said donor roller.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said fluidizing means (90) includes: an elongate member disposed interiorly of said duct (88); and means for repetitively moving said elongated member to fluidize the particles in said duct.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said elongate member includes a rod (100) having a multiplicity of fibers (102) or a plurality of spaced paddles (98) extending outwardly therefrom.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said elongate member includes a hollow rod (104) having a plurality of apertures (106) therein.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the duct (88) is a tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member, including an apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
48 words
A printing machine according to claim 9, wherein said transporting means (74) is positioned beneath the photoconductive member (10) so that said fluidizing and moving means (44) moves the particles from said supply means (40) to said transporting means, at least partially against the gravitational force exerted thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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