US3685486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluidized development apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1969-10-20
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Granted: 1972-08-22
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Expires: 1989-10-20
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image wherein the developer material is circulated in a fluidized state past the image. The developer is fluidized by an orbiting member which further acts as a biased development electrode to better develop the electrostatic image. The fluidized developer flow moves in the direction of movement of the surface bearing the electrostatic image to be developed whereby the combined motion of the orbiting electrode and the movement of the image bearing surface results in the developer being propelled at an average velocity equal to the velocity of movement of the image for effective development of the leading edge thereof. Further, means are included to optimally tonerize the carrier particles in the developer while being circulated for development.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J Donalies
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 00:26
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for developing a relatively movable support surface bearing a latent electrostatic image with developer material comprising, housing means to guide developer material into contact with a relatively movable image bearing surface to be developed, developer agitating means operatively connected to the housing means and adapted to effect predetermined turbulence in the developer material to aid in conveying the developer material in an uphill direction along the relatively movable image bearing surface at substantially the same velocity thereof for better development contact therebetween, and means for electrically biasing said developer agitating means to act as a development electrode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus for developing a relatively movable support surface bearing a latent electrostatic image with developer material comprising, housing means to guide developer material into contact with a relatively movable image bearing surface to be developed, developer agitating means operatively connected to the housing means and adapted to effect predetermined turbulence in the developer material to aid in conveying the developer material in an uphill direction along the relatively movable image bearing surface at substantially the same velocity thereof for better development contact therebetween, and means for electrically biasing said developer agitating means to act as a development electrode.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for developing a relatively movable support surface bearing a latent electrostatic image with developer material comprising, housing means to guide developer material iNto contact with a relatively movable image bearing surface to be developed, developer agitating means operatively connected to the housing means and adapted to effect predetermined turbulence in the developer material to aid in conveying the developer material in an uphill direction along the relatively movable image bearing surface at substantially the same velocity thereof for better development contact therebetween, and electrode means for acting as a development electrode.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
93 words
An apparatus for developing a relatively movable support surface bearing a latent electrostatic image with developer material comprising, housing means to guide developer material iNto contact with a relatively movable image bearing surface to be developed, developer agitating means operatively connected to the housing means and adapted to effect predetermined turbulence in the developer material to aid in conveying the developer material in an uphill direction along the relatively movable image bearing surface at substantially the same velocity thereof for better development contact therebetween, and electrode means for acting as a development electrode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface comprising, housing means for guiding developer material into contact with a support surface to be developed, agitating means operatively associated with said housing means for imparting a predetermined turbulence to the developer material to convey the developer material over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated with said housing means for adding toner to said developer material in said housing, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for removing excess toner from said housing means to said toner supply means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
100 words
Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface comprising, housing means for guiding developer material into contact with a support surface to be developed, agitating means operatively associated with said housing means for imparting a predetermined turbulence to the developer material to convey the developer material over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated with said housing means for adding toner to said developer material in said housing, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for removing excess toner from said housing means to said toner supply means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface comprising, housing means positioned proximately adjacent in communication with said support surface and containing a quantity of developer material, agitating means operatively associated with said housing means for circulating developer material in said housing means over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated in communication with said housing means for adding toner to said developer material in said housing, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for removing excess toner from said developer material in said housing means and depositing said removed toner into said toner supply means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
108 words
Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface comprising, housing means positioned proximately adjacent in communication with said support surface and containing a quantity of developer material, agitating means operatively associated with said housing means for circulating developer material in said housing means over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated in communication with said housing means for adding toner to said developer material in said housing, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for removing excess toner from said developer material in said housing means and depositing said removed toner into said toner supply means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface comprising, housing means positioned proximately adjacent said support surface including a first portion containing a quantity of developer material in communication with said support surface and a second portion adapted to receive excess toner material removed from said developer material in said first portion, agitating means operatively associated with said first portion of said housing means for effecting a circulation of said developer material over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated with said housing means in communication with said first portion thereof for adding toner material to the developer material in said housing means, means operatively associated with said first portion and said second portion of said housing means for removing excess toner material from the developer material in said first portion and for depositing the removed toner material into said second portion, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for returning toner material from the second portion of said housing means to said toner supply means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
178 words
Apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface comprising, housing means positioned proximately adjacent said support surface including a first portion containing a quantity of developer material in communication with said support surface and a second portion adapted to receive excess toner material removed from said developer material in said first portion, agitating means operatively associated with said first portion of said housing means for effecting a circulation of said developer material over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated with said housing means in communication with said first portion thereof for adding toner material to the developer material in said housing means, means operatively associated with said first portion and said second portion of said housing means for removing excess toner material from the developer material in said first portion and for depositing the removed toner material into said second portion, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for returning toner material from the second portion of said housing means to said toner supply means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
In an apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface having housing means for guiding developer material into contact with the support surface to be developed and agitating means operatively associated with the housing means for circulating developer material over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated with said housing means for adding toner to developer material in said housing, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for removing excess toner from said housing means to said toner supply means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
92 words
In an apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image on a support surface having housing means for guiding developer material into contact with the support surface to be developed and agitating means operatively associated with the housing means for circulating developer material over the image bearing support surface, toner supply means operatively associated with said housing means for adding toner to developer material in said housing, and means operatively associated with said housing means and said toner supply means for removing excess toner from said housing means to said toner supply means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-08-22 | 1976-02-21 | 1976-08-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-22 | 1980-02-21 | 1980-08-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-22 | 1984-02-21 | 1984-08-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |