US3724725A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroscopic powder feeding apparatus utilizing rotating helical members
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1971-03-30
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Granted: 1973-04-03
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Expires: 1991-03-30
Abstract
Abstract The toner feed apparatus comprises two oppositely wound spring members which are concentrically mounted. The spring members are driven so that the pitch of the outside spring conveys the toner toward a perforated end plate which feeds toner into the developer system. The inside spring is wound in the opposite direction so that contaminating material which does not pass through the perforated end plate is conveyed back and out of the toner feed apparatus for collection.
Inventors
- 👤 R Stauffer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 15:38
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0881; G03G15/0886; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for feeding electroscopic toner to a utilization device comprising: a toner compartment having a toner outlet portion; an output member having a plurality of small holes therein mounted for conveying toner from said toner outlet portion to said utilization device; a first flexible helical member formed in a first sense; a second flexible helical member formed in a sense opposite to said first sense; said second helical member being positioned concentrically within said first helical member; a support member for supporting one end of each of said helical members so that said helical members extend along said toner outlet portion to said output member; and drive means for rotating said support member so that said first helical member feeds toner toward and through said output member to said utilization device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
Apparatus for feeding electroscopic toner to a utilization device comprising: a toner compartment having a toner outlet portion; an output member having a plurality of small holes therein mounted for conveying toner from said toner outlet portion to said utilization device; a first flexible helical member formed in a first sense; a second flexible helical member formed in a sense opposite to said first sense; said second helical member being positioned concentrically within said first helical member; a support member for supporting one end of each of said helical members so that said helical members extend along said toner outlet portion to said output member; and drive means for rotating said support member so that said first helical member feeds toner toward and through said output member to said utilization device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising: means for selectIvely controlling said drive means to maintain a predetermined concentration of toner in said utilization device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising: speed control means for controlling the rotational speed of said drive means so that the quantity of said toner metered to said utilization device may be regulated accordingly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electroscopic toner feeding apparatus for feeding toner to a developer apparatus, comprising: a toner compartment having a hopper portion and a toner outlet portion; an output member having a plurality of small holes therein mounted at one end of the toner outlet portion of said compartment; a first helical spring member positioned for rotation within the toner outlet portion of said compartment; a second helical spring member positioned concentrically within said first helical spring member for rotation along with said first spring member; a support member for supporting one end of each of said helical spring members so that said helical spring members extend along said toner outlet portion of said compartment to said output member; and drive means for rotating said support member so that said first helical spring member feeds said toner toward and through said output member to said developer apparatus.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electroscopic toner feeding apparatus for feeding toner to a developer apparatus, comprising: a toner compartment having a hopper portion and a toner outlet portion; an output member having a plurality of small holes therein mounted at one end of the toner outlet portion of said compartment; a first helical spring member positioned for rotation within the toner outlet portion of said compartment; a second helical spring member positioned concentrically within said first helical spring member for rotation along with said first spring member; a support member for supporting one end of each of said helical spring members so that said helical spring members extend along said toner outlet portion of said compartment to said output member; and drive means for rotating said support member so that said first helical spring member feeds said toner toward and through said output member to said developer apparatus.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
28 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 4 additionally comprising: means for selectively controlling said drive means to maintain a predetermined concentration of toner in said developer unit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 4 additionally comprising: speed control means for controlling the rotational speed of said drive means so that the quantity of said toner metered to said developer unit may be regulated accordingly.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 4 additionally comprising: a shutter member to close said hopper portion during replacement of toner supply operations; and interlock means to prevent opening of said shutter member during said toner supply replacement operation.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising: means for deriving a signal proportional to the concentration of toner in said utilization device; and means for selectively controlling said drive means in response to said signal to maintain a predetermined concentration of toner in said utilization device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 1 additionally comprising: means for deriving a signal proportional to the concentration of toner in said utilization device; and speed control means for controlling the rotational speed of said drive means in response to said signal so that the quantity of said toner metered to said utilization device may be regulated accordingly.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 4 additionally comprising: means for deriving a signal proportional to the concentration of toner in said developer unit; and means for selectively controlling said drive means in response to said signal to maintain a predetermined concentration of toner in said developer unit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
59 words
The toner feeding apparatus according to claim 4 additionally comprising: means for deriving a signal proportional to the concentration of toner in said developer unit; and speed control means for controlling the rotational speed of said drive means in response to said signals so that the quantity of said toner metered to said developer unit may be regulated accordingly.
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) | 1976-04-02 | 1976-10-02 | 1977-04-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-04-02 | 1980-10-02 | 1981-04-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-04-02 | 1984-10-02 | 1985-04-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |