Particle dispenser

Claim 1

An electrostatographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image of an original document to be reproduced recorded on an insulating medium, wherein the improvement includes: a housing member defining a chamber for storing a developer mix comprising carrier granules and toner particles; a generally tubular member journaled for oscillatory movement substantially about the longitudinal axis thereof in said housing member and defining a chamber for storing a supply of toner particles therein, said tubular member having a perforated portion arranged to prevent the passage of toner particles therethrough when said tubular member is stationary while allowing the passage of toner particles therethrough when said tubular member is oscillated; means for oscillating said tubular member to dispense toner particles therefrom into the chamber of said housing member; a stationary, generally cylindrical member disposed concentrically about said tubular member and spaced therefrom, said cylindrical member having an aperture therein substantially aligned with the perforated portion of said tubular member; a rotary driven hub member spaced from and disposed concentrically about said cylindrical member with a plurality of spaced apertures therein adapted to enable the toner particles being dispensed from said tubular member to pass therethrough; and a plurality of substantially equally spaced scoops mounted on said hub member at least one aperture interposed between each of said scoops, said scoops being arranged to move the developer mix from a first region to a second region for discharge thereat.