Mechanism for dispensing toner in electrographic apparatus

Claim 2

In an electrographic machine utilizing dry toner powder, a mechanism for dispensing toner from a first reservoir to a second reservoir having sidewalls which define length and width dimensions thereof, said mechanism comprising: elongate toner holding means mounted for movement from a first position for receiving toner from said first reservoir to a second position extending substantially across the width of said second reservoir at said particular location, means for moving said holding means from said first position to said second position, and means for at least partially emptying said holding means when in said second position to dispense toner into said second reservoir, substantially uniformally across the width of said second reservoir.

Claim 3

The dispensing mechanism according to claim 1 wherein said emptying means includes means for inverting said holding means and for agitating said holding means when inverted.

Claim 4

In combination with electrographic apparatus having a replenishment reservoir and a development reservoir, a mechanism for dispensing toner from said replenishment reservoir into and evenly across a width dimension of said development reservoir, said mechanism comprising: elongated toner holding means having a longitudinal axis, means supporting said holding means for translatory movement from a position in communication with said replenishment reservoir in a direction generally parallel to said axis to a position extending substantially across a dimension of said development reservoir and for rotational movement upon said axis, means for moving said holding means in a direction generally parallel to said axis, and means for rotating said holding means around said axis to empty toner evenly across said development reservoir.

Claim 5

In combination with electrographic apparatus having a replenishment reservoir and a development reservoir, a mechanism for dispensing toner from said replenishment reservoir into and evenly across a width dimension of said development reservoir, said mechanism comprising: elongated toner holding means having a longitudinal axis, means supporting said holding means for translatory movement from a position in communication with said replenishment reservoir in a direction generally parallel to said axis to a position extending substantially across a dimension of said development reservoir and for rotational movement upon said axis, means for moving said holding means in a direction generally parallel to said axis, and means for rotating said holding means around said axis to empty toner evenly across said development reservoir.

Claim 6

A toner dispensing mechanism according to claim 3 wherein said supporting means includes: a housing below said first reservoir, a rotatable seal mounted in said housing, said seal including an opening in which said holding means is mounted for sliding movement generally parallel To said longitudinal axis.

Claim 7

A mechanism for uniformally dispensing toner into a developer reservoir of electrographic apparatus, said mechanism comprising: a toner replenishment reservoir having an elongated opening through which toner can move under force of gravity, a housing positioned below said elongated opening, open top, toner holding means mounted in said housing for sliding movement from a first position under said opening in said toner reservoir to a second position located over and substantially across a dimension of said developer reservoir, means for moving said toner holding means from said first position to said second position and for rotating said holding means upon an axis generally parallel to said movement to empty toner from said holding means into said developer reservoir.

Claim 8

A mechanism for uniformally dispensing toner into a developer reservoir of electrographic apparatus, said mechanism comprising: a toner replenishment reservoir having an elongated opening through which toner can move under force of gravity, a housing positioned below said elongated opening, open top, toner holding means mounted in said housing for sliding movement from a first position under said opening in said toner reservoir to a second position located over and substantially across a dimension of said developer reservoir, means for moving said toner holding means from said first position to said second position and for rotating said holding means upon an axis generally parallel to said movement to empty toner from said holding means into said developer reservoir.

Claim 9

In combination with electrographic apparatus having a magnetic brush development reservoir, a toner dispensing mechanism for dispensing toner into and uniformally across a dimension of said development reservoir, said mechanism comprising: toner replenishment reservoir means having first and second opposing walls, elongated trough-shaped toner holding means mounted for sliding movement through said opposing walls, means for moving a portion of said trough from a first position between said opposing walls to a second position over and extending substantially across a dimension of said development reservoir, means for inverting said trough when in said second position.

Claim 10

In combination with electrographic apparatus having a magnetic brush development reservoir, a toner dispensing mechanism for dispensing toner into and uniformally across a dimension of said development reservoir, said mechanism comprising: toner replenishment reservoir means having first and second opposing walls, elongated trough-shaped toner holding means mounted for sliding movement through said opposing walls, means for moving a portion of said trough from a first position between said opposing walls to a second position over and extending substantially across a dimension of said development reservoir, means for inverting said trough when in said second position.

Claim 11

The invention defined in claim 3 further comprising mixing means located in said development reservoir and beneath said toner holding means when in said second position.

Claim 12

The invention defined in claim 5 further comprising mixing means located in said development reservoir and beneath said toner holding means when in said second position.