Toner replenisher

Claim 1

In a toner system for electrostatic image development employing a mix of non-consumable carrier members and consumable toner particles, the system including a mixing chamber wherein spent mix is deposited and caused to be resupplied with toner particles clinging thereto, said chamber having a supply entrance opening above the mixing area; the improvement in toner particle supply, comprising: a housing seated on said chamber over said supply entrance opening; a brush of circular cross-section mounted in said housing adjacent said entrance opening, said brush having a bristle mat surface, and means for rotating said brush about its central axis; a supply hopper located to expel toner from said hopper through said opening by gravity, said hopper mounted adjacent said brush with said brush as the sole closure blocking the opening; the hopper opening is rectangular, defined by a vertical front hopper wall and a sloping rear hopper wall terminating at a location substantially directly below said front wall, and end walls; a doctor blade formed by a serrated edge formation of said rear wall termination on the side of said opening from which the mat of said brush exits, said blade extending partially into said mat to cause the bristles to bend and then snap back after passing the blades; and a vibrator means for vibrating said rear wall to shake toner down to said brush and to actuate thE particle dispensing action of said brush; whereby, the bristles pick up toner particles from a hopper supply, and flick the particles free in a descending cloud to said mixing chamber.