US3791744A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Xerographic toner concentration measuring apparatus and method
Assignee: DYK RES CORP VAN
•
Filing: 1972-02-22
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Granted: 1974-02-12
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Expires: 1992-02-22
Abstract
Abstract An arrangement for measuring the concentration of toner powder in a xerographic developer mixture by causing a sample of the developer to impinge upon a transparent plate. By providing the developer sample in the form of a turbulent stream, inclining the plate at the proper angle, and arranging the geometry of the measuring apparatus so that the stream impinges upon the transparent plate with the proper kinetic energy, a layer of toner powder is formed on the surface of a portion of the plate, the thickness of the toner layer increasing and decreasing with corresponding changes in the concentration of toner in the developer mixture. A photoelectric system is employed to monitor the light transmission of the toner-coated plate to provide a measure of toner concentration.
Inventors
- 👤 D Erny
- 👤 L Tysko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:57
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0855; G03G15/0887; G03G15/0891
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for measuring the toner concentration in the developer of a xerographic copying apparatus, comprising: a toner collecting plate; supply means for providing a stream of said developer; means for introducing a substantial amount of turbulence into said stream, and for directing the turbulent stream of developer onto a surface of said collecting plate with kinetic energy sufficient to dislodge toner particles from the developer carrier beads to which the particles are electroscopically adherent, said dislodged toner particles being deposited in the form of a layer on at least a portion of said collecting plate, the kinetic energy and turbulence of said directed stream being sufficient to remove toner particles from said collecting plate portion when the concentration of toner in said stream decreases, said kinetic energy at the same time being sufficiently low so that said developer is not damaged by impact with said collecting plate; and means for sensing the amount of toner deposited in the form of said layer on said collecting plate portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
Apparatus for measuring the toner concentration in the developer of a xerographic copying apparatus, comprising: a toner collecting plate; supply means for providing a stream of said developer; means for introducing a substantial amount of turbulence into said stream, and for directing the turbulent stream of developer onto a surface of said collecting plate with kinetic energy sufficient to dislodge toner particles from the developer carrier beads to which the particles are electroscopically adherent, said dislodged toner particles being deposited in the form of a layer on at least a portion of said collecting plate, the kinetic energy and turbulence of said directed stream being sufficient to remove toner particles from said collecting plate portion when the concentration of toner in said stream decreases, said kinetic energy at the same time being sufficiently low so that said developer is not damaged by impact with said collecting plate; and means for sensing the amount of toner deposited in the form of said layer on said collecting plate portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said toner collecting plate is light transmissive and said sensing means includes a light source for illuminating said collecting plate and a photosensitive element for detecting the light transmitted through said plate and said toner layer by said source.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said light source and photosensitive element are situated in first and second respective dust-free housings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said supply means includes an orifice for limiting the rate of flow of the developer in said stream.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said supply means includes a developer sample storage hopper, said orifice being provided at the bottom of said hopper.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said turbulence introducing means comprises a developer stream deflecting member disposed below said orifice.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the normal to the collecting plate is inclined at an angle on the order of 30* to 75* with respect to the vertical.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said angle is on the order of 60* .
Claim 10
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for measuring the toner concentration in the developer of a xerographic copying apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing a stream of said developer; introducing a substantial amount of turbulence into said stream; directing said turbulent stream onto a surface of a collecting plate with kinetic energy sufficient to dislodge toner particles from the developer carrier beads to which the particles aRe electroscopically adherent, said dislodged toner particles being deposited in the form of a layer on at least a portion of said collecting plate, the kinetic energy and turbulence of said directed stream being sufficient to remove toner particles from said collecting plate portions when the concentration of toner in said stream decreases, said kinetic energy at the same time being sufficiently low so that said developer is not damaged by impact with said collecting plate; and sensing the amount of toner deposited in the form of said layer on said collecting plate portion.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for measuring the toner concentration in the developer of a xerographic copying apparatus, comprising the steps of: providing a stream of said developer; introducing a substantial amount of turbulence into said stream; directing said turbulent stream onto a surface of a collecting plate with kinetic energy sufficient to dislodge toner particles from the developer carrier beads to which the particles aRe electroscopically adherent, said dislodged toner particles being deposited in the form of a layer on at least a portion of said collecting plate, the kinetic energy and turbulence of said directed stream being sufficient to remove toner particles from said collecting plate portions when the concentration of toner in said stream decreases, said kinetic energy at the same time being sufficiently low so that said developer is not damaged by impact with said collecting plate; and sensing the amount of toner deposited in the form of said layer on said collecting plate portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-11 | 1977-08-13 | 1978-02-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-11 | 1981-08-13 | 1982-02-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-11 | 1985-08-13 | 1986-02-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |