Abstract Improved background removal apparatus includes a magnetic brush for removing background toner from the photoreceptor of an electrostatic reproduction machine, and a reclaim roller for removing the toner from the magnetic brush. The background removal apparatus is neatly integrated into the developer of the machine so as to form a developer/background removal apparatus unit. The reclaim roller is positioned so as to both dispense the reclaimed toner back into the main sump of the developer, and to serve as a ''''doctor blade'''' for the magnetic brush. To promote mixing and increase carrier life, the magnets within the magnetic brush are arranged so as to allow the carrier beads of the brush to fall freely into the sump of the background removal apparatus after sweeping the photoreceptor surface. To provide for easy maintenance, the background removal apparatus includes an opening in the top thereof for loading carrier into the apparatus, and an opening in the bottom thereof for unloading the carrier into the main sump of the developer.
The combination of a developer having a first sump with a background removal apparatus having a second sump, the background removal apparatus being positioned above the first sump, and including (a) means for transporting magnetic carrier beads into sweeping contact with a photoreceptor to remove background toner, the transporting means including a rotatably mounted non-magnetic cylinder and magnet means positioned within the cylinder so as to permit the carrier beads to drop freely from the cylinder into the second sump after sweeping the photoreceptor and then to be reattracted to the cylinder again after being mixed within the second sump, and (b) reclaim means for reclaiming the toner from the carrier beads which are being transported into sweepingg contact with the photoreceptor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 1, and further including means for opening the second sump to allow its contents to drop into the first sump.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination set forth in claim 1, wherein the reclaim means is positioned so as to allow the reclaimed toner to be dropped into the first sump when removed from the reclaim means, and further including means for removing the reclaimed toner from the reclaim means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination set forth in claim 3, wherein the reclaim means is positioned so as to trim excess carrier beads from the transport means and drop the excess carrier beads back into the second sump.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination set forth in claim 4, and further including means for opening the second sump to allow its contents to drop into the first sump.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination set forth in claim 5 wherein the reclaim means comprises a non-magnetic roller and means for electrically biasing the non-magnetic roller, and wherein the removing means comprises a plastic scraper blade.