US3929099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner apparatus for electrophotographic development
Assignee: GAF Corp
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Filing: 1974-09-05
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Granted: 1975-12-30
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Expires: 1994-09-05
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the development of latent electrostatic images on dielectric sheeting includes a developing electrode surface for receiving the sheeting. In accordance with this invention, toner fluid is circulated across the electrode surface, typically in a generally unidirectional flowing stream. The sheeting is supported by the stream of toner fluid, whereby the sheeting is spaced from the developing electrode surface in automatic, uniform manner by the stream of toner fluid, for improved toning development of latent electrostatic images. In another aspect of this invention, toner fluid is supplied to flow in a stream across the developing electrode surface through several fluid inlets, including at least one central fluid inlet, and several spaced toner fluid outlets are also provided, so that fresh toner fluid may be continually dispersed in a large area across the developing electrode surface, and spent toner fluid withdrawn, in a staged manner of flow.
Inventors
- 👤 Oleg Szymber
- 👤 Anatoli Brushenko
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:43
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/10; G03G15/101
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In apparatus for the development of latent electrostatic images on dielectric sheeting, said apparatus having a generally flat developing electrode surface for receiving said sheeting, the improvement comprising: means for circulating toner fluid across said generally flat developing electrode surface in a generally unidirectional flowing stream of uniform thickness; and means for laying said sheeting on said flowing stream of toner fluid, whereby said sheeting is spaced from said developing electrode surface in automatic, uniform manner by said stream of toner fluid, for improved development of latent electrostatic images, and toner fluid staging means provided for supplying a flow of fresh toner fluid to a plurality of locations on said developing electrode surface, including at least one location on said developing electrode surface spaced from the edges thereof and at an intermediate point along said path of travel, and means for removing spent toner fluid from said developing electrode surface at a location upstream from said one location at said intermediate point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In apparatus for the development of latent electrostatic images on dielectric sheeting, said apparatus having a generally flat developing electrode surface for receiving said sheeting, the improvement comprising: means for circulating toner fluid across said generally flat developing electrode surface in a generally unidirectional flowing stream of uniform thickness; and means for laying said sheeting on said flowing stream of toner fluid, whereby said sheeting is spaced from said developing electrode surface in automatic, uniform manner by said stream of toner fluid, for improved development of latent electrostatic images, and toner fluid staging means provided for supplying a flow of fresh toner fluid to a plurality of locations on said developing electrode surface, including at least one location on said developing electrode surface spaced from the edges thereof and at an intermediate point along said path of travel, and means for removing spent toner fluid from said developing electrode surface at a location upstream from said one location at said intermediate point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 1 in which said developing electrode surface, in position of use, defines a small angle to the horizontal plane in a direction to permit said stream of toner fluid to flow downwardly at said angle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 having means for moving said sheeting in a path of travel across said developing electrode member in the general direction of said stream of toner fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 in which said moving means comprises pairs of cooperating rollers at opposite ends of said developing electrode surface, for moving said dielectric sheeting while also removing excess toner fluid after development.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
115 words
In apparatus for the development of latent electrostatic images on dielectric sheeting having a developing electrode surface, the improvement comprising: toner fluid staging means, comprising means for simultaneously supplying fresh toner fluid to flow in a stream across said developing electrode surface from a plurality of spaced toner fluid inlets, including at least one central fluid inlet spaced from the edges of said electrode surface; and means for simultaneously withdrawing spent toner fluid from said electrode surface through a corresponding plurAlity of spaced fluid outlets, one of said fluid outlets being adjacent said central fluid inlet, whereby fresh toner fluid may be continually dispersed in large areas across said surface for contact with said sheeting.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
115 words
In apparatus for the development of latent electrostatic images on dielectric sheeting having a developing electrode surface, the improvement comprising: toner fluid staging means, comprising means for simultaneously supplying fresh toner fluid to flow in a stream across said developing electrode surface from a plurality of spaced toner fluid inlets, including at least one central fluid inlet spaced from the edges of said electrode surface; and means for simultaneously withdrawing spent toner fluid from said electrode surface through a corresponding plurAlity of spaced fluid outlets, one of said fluid outlets being adjacent said central fluid inlet, whereby fresh toner fluid may be continually dispersed in large areas across said surface for contact with said sheeting.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 5 in which said stream of toner fluid across said electrode surface is generally unidirectional, and said toner fluid withdrawing outlet which is adjacent said central fluid inlet is upstream thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 6 in which said staging means defines at least three separate, spaced fluid inlets for supply of fresh toner fluid to said developing electrode surface, said means for withdrawing spent toner fluid comprising at least three separate, spaced, fluid outlets, to provide at least three successive, generally separate toner fluid flow paths across said electrode surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 7 in which said developing electrode surface, in position of use, defines a small angle to the horizontal plane in a direction to permit said toner fluid to flow downwardly at said angle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8 having means for moving said sheeting in a path of travel across said developing electrode member in the general direction of said stream of toner fluid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said moving means comprises pairs of cooperating rollers at opposite ends of said developing electrode surface, for moving said dielectric sheeting while also removing excess toner after development.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 9 in which said dielectric sheeting lies on said stream of toner fluid, to be uniformly spaced thereby from said developing electrode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said stream of toner fluid is of an essentially uniform depth across said developing electrode surface of 0.5 to 2 mm., whereby said sheeting is uniformly spaced from said electrode surface by said stream of toner fluid.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which electrically conductive means provides electrical communication between said developing electrode surface and the side of said dielectric sheet facing away from electrode surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 11 in which said spaced, fluid inlets are of equal transverse dimension and interconnected, whereby the fluid flow from each of said inlets is essentially equal to the fluid flow of the other inlets.
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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) | 1978-12-29 | 1979-06-30 | 1979-12-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-12-29 | 1983-06-30 | 1983-12-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-12-29 | 1987-06-30 | 1987-12-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |