US3793985A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Imaging system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1969-12-30
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Granted: 1974-02-26
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Expires: 1989-12-30
Abstract
Abstract Electrostatic latent images are developed by developer material in a chamber having a curved bottom surface by transmitting to the developer material in contact with the chamber sufficient oscillatory energy to circulate a stream of the developer material in an orbital path in a substantially vertical plane, the oscillatory energy having an axis of oscillation perpendicular to the vertical plane and contacting the upper periphery of the stream of developer material with a surface bearing an electrostatic latent image.
Inventors
- 👤 R Hagenbach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 16:13
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/082
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for developing electrostatic latent images on a surface with particulate developer material, said apparatus comprises a U-shaped developer chamber having an inner surface including an inner arcuate bottom surface, said developer chamber is positioned to and below at least a portion of a latent electrostatic image-bearing member and means coupled with said developer chamber to impart oscillatory energy to said chamber, sufficient to transmit to particulate developer material in contact with said inner surface, sufficient non-linear oscillatory motion thereby defining a circuitous path to circulate developer material as a flowing stream in an orbital path in a substantially vertical plane around the central portion of said chamber, said oscillatory motion having an axis of oscillation perpendicular to said vertical plane, having an axis of oscillation parallel to said inner arcuate bottom surface, and having a frequency of from about 1,000 cycles per minute to about 4,000 cycles per minute whereby said inner arcuate bottom surface of said chamber defines the curved lowermost periphery of said orbital path, a zone of rapidly moving developer material along a portion of the upper periphery of said stream and a zone of slowly moving developer material along another portion of said upper periphery of said stream being formed by the confining of said flowing stream of developer material in said U-shaped chamber.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
220 words
An apparatus for developing electrostatic latent images on a surface with particulate developer material, said apparatus comprises a U-shaped developer chamber having an inner surface including an inner arcuate bottom surface, said developer chamber is positioned to and below at least a portion of a latent electrostatic image-bearing member and means coupled with said developer chamber to impart oscillatory energy to said chamber, sufficient to transmit to particulate developer material in contact with said inner surface, sufficient non-linear oscillatory motion thereby defining a circuitous path to circulate developer material as a flowing stream in an orbital path in a substantially vertical plane around the central portion of said chamber, said oscillatory motion having an axis of oscillation perpendicular to said vertical plane, having an axis of oscillation parallel to said inner arcuate bottom surface, and having a frequency of from about 1,000 cycles per minute to about 4,000 cycles per minute whereby said inner arcuate bottom surface of said chamber defines the curved lowermost periphery of said orbital path, a zone of rapidly moving developer material along a portion of the upper periphery of said stream and a zone of slowly moving developer material along another portion of said upper periphery of said stream being formed by the confining of said flowing stream of developer material in said U-shaped chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein a development electrode constructed of conductive material is positioned beneath and sufficiently close to said surface to affect the field of said electrostatic images.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein means are provided to bias said development electrode to a potential of the same polarity as that on the image areas of the latent electrostatic image-bearing member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said development electrode is grounded.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said development electrode is apertured to permit the movement of developer material therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said development electrode comprises a series of spaced parallel conductive wires.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 1 and further including developer replenishment means operatively associated with said developer chamber.
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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) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |