Device for replenishing toner particles

Claim 3

An apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said advancing means and said magnetic means define an endless path for advancing developer mix to the latent image and returning at least carrier granules which receive toner particles from the chamber of said housing to form developer mix for advancement to the latent image.

Claim 4

An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said magnetic means include: a pair of opposed, spaced support rollers; and a magnetic belt entrained about said pair of support rollers.

Claim 5

An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein said advancing means includes: a magnetic developer roll disposed closely adjacent to the latent image to move the developer mix into contact therewith; and a magnetic transfer roller associated with said developer roller and positioned to have said magnetic belt interposed between said transfer roller and one of said support rollers with said transfer roller engaging said magnetic belt.

Claim 6

An apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the open end of the chamber of said housing includes a first port closely adjacent to said magnetic belt for dispensing toner particles to the carrier granules disposed thereon.

Claim 7

An apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said housing includes a second port in communication with the chamber thereof to permit additional toner particles to be added thereto, said second port being substantially opposed from said first port with said first port having an aperture greater than the aperture of said second port.

Claim 8

An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein the chamber of said housing tapers outwardly substantially uniformly from the second port to the first port.

Claim 9

An electrophotographic printing machine, including: a photoconductive member; means for recording an electrostatic latent image on said photoconductive member; means for advancing a developer mix comprising carrier granules having toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto into contact with the latent image which attracts thereto at least a portion of the toner particles from the carrier granules; a housing defining an open-ended chamber for storing therein a supply of toner particles; and magnetic means associated with said advancing means to receive therefrom at least a portion of the carrier granules having the toner particles attracted therefrom, said magnetic means moving the carrier granules into communication with the open end of the chamber of said housing to attract triboelectrically therefrom toner particles, said advancing means receiving the carrier granules having the toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto from said magnetic means.

Claim 10

An electrophotographic printing machine, including: a photoconductive member; means for recording an electrostatic latent image on said photoconductive member; means for advancing a developer mix comprising carrier granules having toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto into contact with the latent image which attracts thereto at least a portion of the toner particles from the carrier granules; a housing defining an open-ended chamber for storing therein a supply of toner particles; and magnetic means associated with said advancing means to receive therefrom at least a portion of the carrier granules having the toner particles attracted therefrom, said magnetic means moving the carrier granules into communication with the open end of the chamber of said housing to attract triboelectrically therefrom toner particles, said advancing means receiving the carrier granules having the toner particles adhering triboelectrically thereto from said magnetic means.

Claim 11

A printing machine as recited in claim 8, wherein said advancing means and said magnetic means define an endless path for advancing developer mix to the latent image and returning at least carrier granules which receive toner particles from the chamber of said housing to form developer mix for advancement to the latent image.

Claim 12

A printing machine as recited in claim 9, wherein said magnetic means includes: a pair of opposed, spaced support rollers; and a magnetic belt entrained about said pair of support rollers.

Claim 13

A printing machine as recited in claim 10, wherein said advancing means includes: a magnetic developer roller disposed closely adjacent to the latent image to move the developer mix into contact therewith; and a magnetic transfer roller associated with said developer roller and positioned to have said magnetic belt interposed between said transfer roller and one of said support rollers with said transfer roller engaging said magnetic belt.

Claim 14

A printing machine as recited in claim 11, wherein the open end of the chamber of said housing includes a first port located closely adjacent to said magnetic belt for dispensing toner particles to the carrier granules.

Claim 15

A printing machine as recited in claim 12, wherein said housing includes a second port in communication with the chamber thereof to permit additional toner particles to be added thereto, said second port being substantially opposed from said first port with said first port having an aperture greater than the aperture of said second port.

Claim 16

A printing machine as recited in claim 13, wherein the chamber of said housing tapers outwardly substantially uniformly from the second port to the first port.