Patent US3573656A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4004714A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4004714A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dry developing mechanism
Assignee: Canon Inc
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Filing: 1975-02-13
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Granted: 1977-01-25
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Expires: 1995-02-13
Abstract
Abstract A dry developing apparatus equipped with a developer amount detector, includes a container in which the developer is contained, a rotational member for agitating or carrying the developer, a support for supporting the rotational member in such a way that the rotational member, when rotated, is displaceable axially under the force of the load resistance produced by the presence of the developer, a holder for holding the rotational member so as to cause the member to return in the direction opposite to the direction of the displacement when the lead resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer, and a detector for detecting the difference in the amount of the axial displacement of the rotational member.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Ito
- 👤 Tadayuki Kitajima
- 👤 Yoshikuni Touyama
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0856
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
168 words
A dry developing apparatus equipped with means for detecting the amount of developer provided therein, comprising: a container in which the developer is contained; a rotational member for agitating or carrying the developer, said member being provided in said container; means for supporting said rotational member such that said member, when rotated, is displaceable axially under the force of a load resistance produced by the presence of the developer; discharge means including an opening provided in said container to release developer as it is carried by said rotational member, thereby limiting said load resistance, and to discharge said developer to a developing station; means for urging said rotational member to make a returning movement in the direction opposite to the direction of said displacement when said load resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer; and means for detecting a difference in the amount of the axial displacement of said rotational member for providing an indication of a decrease in the amount of developer provided in the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
168 words
A dry developing apparatus equipped with means for detecting the amount of developer provided therein, comprising: a container in which the developer is contained; a rotational member for agitating or carrying the developer, said member being provided in said container; means for supporting said rotational member such that said member, when rotated, is displaceable axially under the force of a load resistance produced by the presence of the developer; discharge means including an opening provided in said container to release developer as it is carried by said rotational member, thereby limiting said load resistance, and to discharge said developer to a developing station; means for urging said rotational member to make a returning movement in the direction opposite to the direction of said displacement when said load resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer; and means for detecting a difference in the amount of the axial displacement of said rotational member for providing an indication of a decrease in the amount of developer provided in the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A dry developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said rotational member is a screw roller.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
A dry developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said urging means is a spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
A dry developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is a microswitch and operation of said rotational member is suspended by a signal from said microswitch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A dry developing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means is a microswitch and an indication lamp is switched on or off by a signal from said microswitch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
161 words
A dry developing apparatus equipped with means for detecting the amount of developer provided therein, comprising: a container in which the developer is contained; a rotational member provided in said container for agitating or carrying the developer; a driving power source for driving said rotational member; means for supporting said rotational member such that said member, when rotated, is displaceable axially thereof under the force of a load resistance produced by the presence of the developer; means for urging said rotational member to make a returning movement in the direction opposite to the direction of said displacement when said load resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer; a rotator for transmitting power from said power source; and a power receiving rotator provided coaxially with said rotational member and arranged to engage with said power transmitting rotator when said rotational member displaces and disengage from said power transmitting rotator when said rotational member makes a return movement in the opposite direction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
161 words
A dry developing apparatus equipped with means for detecting the amount of developer provided therein, comprising: a container in which the developer is contained; a rotational member provided in said container for agitating or carrying the developer; a driving power source for driving said rotational member; means for supporting said rotational member such that said member, when rotated, is displaceable axially thereof under the force of a load resistance produced by the presence of the developer; means for urging said rotational member to make a returning movement in the direction opposite to the direction of said displacement when said load resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer; a rotator for transmitting power from said power source; and a power receiving rotator provided coaxially with said rotational member and arranged to engage with said power transmitting rotator when said rotational member displaces and disengage from said power transmitting rotator when said rotational member makes a return movement in the opposite direction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
A dry developing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said power transmitting rotator and power receiving rotator are gears.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-01-25 | 1980-07-26 | 1981-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-01-25 | 1984-07-26 | 1985-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-01-25 | 1988-07-26 | 1989-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |