Patent US3702108A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3702108A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Image development station
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
•
Filing: 1969-11-12
•
Granted: 1972-11-07
•
Expires: 1989-11-12
Abstract
Abstract A development station is provided whereby an electrostatic image moving along a horizontal path is developed by a developer which consists of a mixture of toner particles and carrier beads. The developer is dispensed across the electrostatic image as it moves along its path and agitated by a barrier extending across the path at a height from the image path to permit passage of toner particles sticking to the electrostatic image but for the most part prohibiting passage of carrier beads. This barrier may include a variety of shapes such as a flat blade extending at an angle across the developer, a curved blade, a counter-rotating paddle wheel, a plurality of blades wherein the first blade is at a height to allow both toner and carrier beads to pass thereunder and a second blade is at a height to permit only toner particles adhering to the electrostatic image to pass thereunder, or the blade may be comb-shaped so that a portion of the excess developer and carrier beads may move along with the electrostatic image. The blade can be used to provide solid area development by applying a potential thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Conrad Altmann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 16:02
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image by means of developer which includes toner particles and carrier particles, said developing apparatus comprising: means for placing said developer on said electrostatic image; means for moving said electrostatic image along a substantially horizontal path; and means for causing relative movement of said developer with respect to said image as said image is moved along said path so that said toner particles are electrostatically attracted to said electrostatic image.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for developing a latent electrostatic image by means of developer which includes toner particles and carrier particles, said developing apparatus comprising: means for placing said developer on said electrostatic image; means for moving said electrostatic image along a substantially horizontal path; and means for causing relative movement of said developer with respect to said image as said image is moved along said path so that said toner particles are electrostatically attracted to said electrostatic image.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing relative movement includes: a straight barrier extending across the path of said electrostatic image to Create a standing wave of developer across said path and spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to permit toner particles adhering to said electrostatic image to pass thereunder but preventing substantially all carrier particles from passing thereunder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
80 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing relative movement includes: a barrier extending across the path of said electrostatic image to create a standing wave of developer across said path and spaced therefrom a distance sufficient to allow toner particles adhering to said electrostatic image to pass thereunder but preventing carrier particles from passing thereunder, and said barrier having a surface which curves back over said standing wave to cause agitation of said developer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing relative movement includes: a barrier extending at an angle across said toner image path to create a standing wave of developer across said path and spaced therefrom a sufficient distance to permit toner adhering to said electrostatic image to pass under said barrier but causing substantially all of said carrier particles to move laterally across said image and to be discharged over a side edge of said image.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing relative movement includes: a barrier extending across said toner image path and spaced therefrom, said barrier having a lower edge with a comb-shaped surface which inhibits passage therethrough of some of said carrier particles and permits passage of other said carrier particles.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A developing apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, further including: a vibrator adjacent said barrier to enhance toning of said electrostatic image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing relative movement includes: a paddle wheel extending across said toner image path and rotatable in a direction to cause toner and carrier particles to be flipped in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of said electrostatic image.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
103 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for causing relative movement includes: a first barrier extending across said electrostatic image path to form a first standing wave of developer across said path and spaced from said image a distance sufficient to permit both toner and carrier particles to pass thereunder; and a second barrier extending across said electrostatic image path to form a second standing wave of developer across said path and spaced from said path a distance sufficient to permit toner particles adhering to said electrostatic image to pass thereunder but substantially preventing passage of carrier particles thereunder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
41 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein: said first barrier is positioned to direct developer to one edge of said electrostatic image; and said second barrier is positioned to direct developer toward the opposite edge of said electrostatic image.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A developing apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein: said first and second barriers are each constructed to direct said developer from the center of said electrostatic image toward opposite edges thereof.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for developing a substantially horizontal latent electrostatic image with developer said apparatus comprising: means for placing said developer on said electrostatic image; a substantially horizontal barrier; and means for causing relative movement between said electrostatic image and said horizontal barrier to cause lateral movement of said developer across said image.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus for developing a substantially horizontal latent electrostatic image with developer said apparatus comprising: means for placing said developer on said electrostatic image; a substantially horizontal barrier; and means for causing relative movement between said electrostatic image and said horizontal barrier to cause lateral movement of said developer across said image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an electrophotographic apparatus for forming and toning an electrostatic image with developer, wherein said apparatus comprises: a photoconductive web mounted for movement along a path; means for forming an electrostatic image on said web; a developing station for toning said electrostatic imaGe to form a toner image; a transfer station for transferring said toner image from said web to a receiver; and a cleaning station for cleaning residual toner particles from said web; the improvement comprising: means for moving said web along a horizontal path at said developing station; and means for moving said developer laterally across said electrostatic image as said web moves along said horizontal path.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
109 words
In an electrophotographic apparatus for forming and toning an electrostatic image with developer, wherein said apparatus comprises: a photoconductive web mounted for movement along a path; means for forming an electrostatic image on said web; a developing station for toning said electrostatic imaGe to form a toner image; a transfer station for transferring said toner image from said web to a receiver; and a cleaning station for cleaning residual toner particles from said web; the improvement comprising: means for moving said web along a horizontal path at said developing station; and means for moving said developer laterally across said electrostatic image as said web moves along said horizontal path.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for developing a substantially horizontal latent electrostatic image with developer, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting an electrostatic image in a substantially horizontal position; a substantially horizontal barrier for controlling movement of the developer on the electrostatic image; means for placing developer on the electrostatic image adjacent said barrier; and means for causing relative movement between said electrostatic image and said horizontal barrier to cause said barrier to control movement of the developer on the electrostatic image.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus for developing a substantially horizontal latent electrostatic image with developer, said apparatus comprising: means for supporting an electrostatic image in a substantially horizontal position; a substantially horizontal barrier for controlling movement of the developer on the electrostatic image; means for placing developer on the electrostatic image adjacent said barrier; and means for causing relative movement between said electrostatic image and said horizontal barrier to cause said barrier to control movement of the developer on the electrostatic image.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3093039A
Cited
US3223548A
Cited
US3336905A
Cited
US3375806A
Cited
US3357399A
Cited
US3416494A
Cited
US3511214A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-11-07 | 1976-05-08 | 1976-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-11-07 | 1980-05-08 | 1980-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-11-07 | 1984-05-08 | 1984-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |