US3693581A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner dispenser circuit for electrostatographic apparatus
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1970-10-29
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Granted: 1972-09-26
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Expires: 1990-10-29
Abstract
Abstract In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus, a toner control system is provided for regulating the quantity of toner supplied to the developer station, said control system operating in response to signals produced by the copy counter switch and employing an electric timing mechanism for controlling the duration of application of the toner to the developer mechanism.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald J Quant
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 00:01
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/28; H03K17/292; G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0887; G03G15/0891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
183 words
In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus wherein a plurality of reproductions of an original object are produced during a print cycle by successively forming a latent electrostatic image of the object on a surface of a photoconductive member, developing the image by applying to the surface a toner material from a developer mechanism, and transferring the developed image to a copy sheet, an improved toner replenishment arrangement for supplying to the developer mechanism a predetermined quantity of toner material for each copy produced, comprising: a toner material container; a toner material supply actuator means for dispensing toner material from the container into the developer mechanism; feeding means for periodically supplying a copy sheet to the photoconductive surface during a printing cycle; means actuated by the transfer of a copy sheet from said feeding means to said photoconductive surface for producing a signal having a predetermined period; and means responsive to said signal for energizing said toner supply actuator means during said period whereby the transfer of a copy sheet causes the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of replenishment toner material to the developer mechanism.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
183 words
In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus wherein a plurality of reproductions of an original object are produced during a print cycle by successively forming a latent electrostatic image of the object on a surface of a photoconductive member, developing the image by applying to the surface a toner material from a developer mechanism, and transferring the developed image to a copy sheet, an improved toner replenishment arrangement for supplying to the developer mechanism a predetermined quantity of toner material for each copy produced, comprising: a toner material container; a toner material supply actuator means for dispensing toner material from the container into the developer mechanism; feeding means for periodically supplying a copy sheet to the photoconductive surface during a printing cycle; means actuated by the transfer of a copy sheet from said feeding means to said photoconductive surface for producing a signal having a predetermined period; and means responsive to said signal for energizing said toner supply actuator means during said period whereby the transfer of a copy sheet causes the dispensing of a predetermined quantity of replenishment toner material to the developer mechanism.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for producing a signal comprises a sensor for sensing the occurrence of the transfer of a copy sheet from the feeding means to the photoconductive surface and for generating an electrical indication representative of the occurrence of the transfer, and circuit means coupled to said sensor and responsive to said electrical indication for generating a signal of predetermined period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sensor comprises an electrical switch having a movable contact element which is actuated by motion of a copy sheet.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said circuit means responsive to said electrical indication for generating a signal of predetermined period includes a trigger circuit arrangement for controlling the duration of said period.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said circuit means responsive to said electrical indication for generating a signal of predetermined period comprises means for providing a signal potential on a signal line upon the occurrence of said indication, and trigger circuit means for interrupting the signal potential after a predetermined period of time.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said trigger circuit means for interrupting the signal on said line is adapted for selectively varying the period of said signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus includes means for counting the number of copies produced during a printing cycle, said copy counting means including a switching device for sensing the transfer of a copy sheet to said photoconductive surface and said means for producing a signal includes said switching device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means responsive to said signal for energizing said toner supply actuator means comprises an electrically energized drive and a switching circuit arrangement responsive to said signal for coupling electrical energy to said drive upon the occurrence of said signal and for interrupting the coupling of energy to said drive upon the termination of said signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said circuit means for coupling energy to said drive includes a gated switching device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said gated switching device comprises a gate electrode controlled semiconductor switching device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus wherein a reproduction of an original object is produced by forming a latent electrostatic image on a surface of a photoconductive member, developing the image by applying to the surface a toner material from a developer mechanism, and transferring the developed image to a copy sheet, an improved apparatus for replenishing toner material comprising: means for sensing the transfer of a copy sheet from a copy sheet feeding mechanism to the photoconductive surface and producinG an indication of said transfer; and, means for initiating the energization of a toner replenishment actuator upon the occurrence of said indication and continuing the energization for a predetermined period of time for dispensing a predetermined replenishment quantity of toner material from a toner container to the developer mechanism.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
129 words
In an electrostatographic reproduction apparatus wherein a reproduction of an original object is produced by forming a latent electrostatic image on a surface of a photoconductive member, developing the image by applying to the surface a toner material from a developer mechanism, and transferring the developed image to a copy sheet, an improved apparatus for replenishing toner material comprising: means for sensing the transfer of a copy sheet from a copy sheet feeding mechanism to the photoconductive surface and producinG an indication of said transfer; and, means for initiating the energization of a toner replenishment actuator upon the occurrence of said indication and continuing the energization for a predetermined period of time for dispensing a predetermined replenishment quantity of toner material from a toner container to the developer mechanism.
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) | 1975-09-26 | 1976-03-27 | 1976-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-26 | 1980-03-27 | 1980-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-26 | 1984-03-27 | 1984-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |