US4212264A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for supplying electrophotographic developer
Assignee: Canon Inc
•
Filing: 1978-05-05
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Granted: 1980-07-15
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Expires: 1998-05-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus for supplying electrophotographic developer to an electrophotographic developing device is disclosed. The developer supply apparatus includes a cartridge containing therein an amount of developer and supported within the housing of the supply apparatus in a manner that the cartridge is allowed to move rotationally and reciprocally around and along its axis. The cartridge has an opening at its one end and also a plural number of ribs provided within the cartridge. During the movement of the cartridge, the ribs stir the developer contained in the cartridge and also cause the developer to move toward the opening. The cartridge is brought into motion responding to a supply signal so as to effect a supply of developer from the cartridge to the developing device.
Inventors
- 👤 Wilhelm Knechtel
- 👤 Taisuke Tokiwa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 22:19
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0865; G03G15/0867; G03G15/0868; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/066; G03G2215/0663; G03G2215/0665; G03G2215/0668; G03G2215/0675; G03G2215/0685; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
Electrophotographic developing apparatus comprising: means for applying developer onto a surface to be developed; means provided in a vicinity of said applying means for conveying developer to said applying means; and means for supplying developer to said developer conveying means, said supplying means including a housing, a developer cartridge having an opening at one end and rotatably supported in said housing about its substantially horizontally oriented longitudinal axis, means for rotating said cartridge, and means for vibrating said cartridge in a direction different from the rotational direction of said cartridge, said vibrating means comprising a cam and a follower, both of which are provided at an end of said cartridge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
Electrophotographic developing apparatus comprising: means for applying developer onto a surface to be developed; means provided in a vicinity of said applying means for conveying developer to said applying means; and means for supplying developer to said developer conveying means, said supplying means including a housing, a developer cartridge having an opening at one end and rotatably supported in said housing about its substantially horizontally oriented longitudinal axis, means for rotating said cartridge, and means for vibrating said cartridge in a direction different from the rotational direction of said cartridge, said vibrating means comprising a cam and a follower, both of which are provided at an end of said cartridge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein guide member is provided within a said cartridge for making the contained developer move toward said opening of the cartridge in cooperation with the motion of the driven cartridge.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said developing apparatus includes means for detachably mounting said cartridge to said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for supplying electrophotographic developer, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a housing; (b) a developer cartridge rotatably supported in said housing about its substantially horizontally oriented longitudinal axis, said cartridge having an opening at one end; (c) means for rotating said cartridge; and (d) means for vibrating said cartridge in a direction different from the rotational direction of said cartridge, said vibrating means comprising a cam and a follower, both of which are provided at an end of said cartridge.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
81 words
Apparatus for supplying electrophotographic developer, said apparatus comprising in combination: (a) a housing; (b) a developer cartridge rotatably supported in said housing about its substantially horizontally oriented longitudinal axis, said cartridge having an opening at one end; (c) means for rotating said cartridge; and (d) means for vibrating said cartridge in a direction different from the rotational direction of said cartridge, said vibrating means comprising a cam and a follower, both of which are provided at an end of said cartridge.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said opening is formed by a removable cap.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cartridge is so shaped as to diverge toward said opening.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cartridge is in a form of a cylinder and is supported rotatably around its axis which is inclined relative to the horizontal direction.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cartridge has a plural number of ribs provided therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ribs are spiral.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cartridge has a cap fixedly secured thereto, said cap having an opening for supplying developer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein a shovel is provided within the cartridge in front of said opening.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said vibrating means acts on said cartridge to cause vertical movement during rotation thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said vibrating means applies an impact or other similar intermittent force to said cartridge during rotation thereof.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said vibrating means causes said cartridge to spring in a bearing for supporting said cartridge.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the developer is a toner and wherein a driving mechanism for causing the rotation of said cartridge is actuated in accordance with the amount of toner consumed within the developer container to which the toner is supplied from said cartridge.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cartridge is in the shape of a truncated cone.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said cam follower is provided on a bearing for supporting said cartridge, and wherein said cam and follower cause an intermittent lifting-up and falling-down of the cartridge.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said falling movement of cartridge is enhanced by means of a spring.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said falling movement of cartridge is electromagnetically enhanced.
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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) | 1983-07-15 | 1984-01-14 | 1984-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-15 | 1988-01-14 | 1988-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-01-14 | 1992-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |