Split developer housing

Claim 2

A development system for developing latent electrostatic images carried by a substrate in an electrostatic processor: said system comprising a housing having a sump for storing a supply of developer; means for circulating developer along a path running from said sump, through a development zone, and then back into said sump; a stationary section mounted immediately adjacent said substrate to define said development zone; a movable section mounted for movement relative to said stationary section; and means for releasably securing said movable section to said stationary section; said movable section including said sump, whereby said sump may be accessed without disturbing said development zone.

Claim 3

The development system of claim 1 wherein said movable section is outboard of said stationary section and is mounted for movement toward and away from said stationary section.

Claim 4

The development system of claim 2 wherein said movable section is mounted on rails having extensions pivotally connected thereto, and said movable section is releasably secured to said stationary section by at least one catch mechanism which is engaged and disengaged in response to movement of one of said extensions toward and away from, respectively, a storage position.

Claim 5

The development system of claim 3 further including means between said stationary and movable sections for sealing said housing when said catch mechanism is engaged.

Claim 6

The development system of claim 4 wherein said means for sealing said housing comprises a gasket which is subjected to a compressive force generated by engaging said catch mechanism.

Claim 7

In an electrostatic processor having a photoconductor for carrying latent electrostatic images, and a development system for applying toner laden developer to said photoconductor to develop said images, the improvement comprising a split housing for said development system; said housing including a stationary section positioned immediately adjacent said photoconductor to define a development zone, a movable section mounted for movement relative to said stationary section, and means for releasably securing said movable section to said stationary section; said stationary section containing means above and means below said development zone for guiding developer into and out of, respectively, said development zone; said movable section containing a sump for storing a supply of developer, and a conveyor for transporting developer from said sump to said means for guiding developer into said development zone.

Claim 8

In an electrostatic processor having a photoconductor for carrying latent electrostatic images, and a development system for applying toner laden developer to said photoconductor to develop said images, the improvement comprising a split housing for said development system; said housing including a stationary section positioned immediately adjacent said photoconductor to define a development zone, a movable section mounted for movement relative to said stationary section, and means for releasably securing said movable section to said stationary section; said stationary section containing means above and means below said development zone for guiding developer into and out of, respectively, said development zone; said movable section containing a sump for storing a supply of developer, and a conveyor for transporting developer from said sump to said means for guiding developer into said development zone.

Claim 9

The processor of claim 6 wherein said sump is formed by a lower portion of said movable section, and the developer guided away from said development zone is returned to said sump.

Claim 10

The processor of claim 6 further including a development electrode mounted within said staTionary section at a predetermined distance from said photoconductor so that there is a gap permitting developer to flow between said electrode and said photoconductor.

Claim 11

The processor of claim 8 wherein said movable section is mounted for sliding movement toward and away from said stationary section.

Claim 12

The processor of claim 9 wherein said movable section is releasably secured to said stationary section by at least one catch mechanism, and further including means for selectively engaging and disengaging said catch mechanism to secure and release, respectively, said movable section to and from said stationary section.