US4343548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Control system for regulating the concentration of toner particles within a developer mixture
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1980-05-19
•
Granted: 1982-08-10
•
Expires: 2000-05-19
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus which regulates the developability of a conductive developer mixture by controlling the concentration of toner particles therein. The concentration of toner particles in the developer mixture is adjusted in response to the sensed conductivity.
Inventors
- 👤 Jan Bares
- 👤 James C. Maher
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:39
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0848; G03G15/0849; G03G15/0851; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/0634; G03G2215/0636; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein with the developer mixture being transported on a developer roller, including: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller including means for switching the polarity of the voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting a first and second current flowing through said probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; means, responsive to the detected current, for generating a control signal corresponding to the difference between the detected first current and the second detected current; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
An apparatus for regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein with the developer mixture being transported on a developer roller, including: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller including means for switching the polarity of the voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting a first and second current flowing through said probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; means, responsive to the detected current, for generating a control signal corresponding to the difference between the detected first current and the second detected current; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said producing means applies an electrical potential to said probe with the developer roller being electrically grounded.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said producing means applies an electrical potential to the developer roller.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a developer roller for transporting a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with the toner particles, wherein the improvement includes: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller including means for switching the polarity of the voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting first and second currents flowing through said probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; means, responsive to the detected current, for generating a control signal corresponding to the difference between the detected first current and detected second current; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
171 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a developer roller for transporting a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with the toner particles, wherein the improvement includes: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller including means for switching the polarity of the voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting first and second currents flowing through said probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; means, responsive to the detected current, for generating a control signal corresponding to the difference between the detected first current and detected second current; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A printing machine according to claim 4, wherein said producing means applies an electrical potential to said probe with the developer roller being electrically grounded.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing machine according to claim 4, wherein said producing means applies an electrical potential to the developer roller.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein with the developer mixture being transported on a developer roller, including: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting the current flowing through said probe having means for generating a current signal corresponding to said current and means for integrating said current signal to average the noise contribution to said current signal; means for generating a control signal from said integrated current signal; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein with the developer mixture being transported on a developer roller, including: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting the current flowing through said probe having means for generating a current signal corresponding to said current and means for integrating said current signal to average the noise contribution to said current signal; means for generating a control signal from said integrated current signal; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a developer roller for transporting a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with the toner particles, wherein the improvement includes: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting the current flowing through said probe having means for generating a current signal corresponding to said current and means for integrating said current signal to average the noise contribution to said current; means for generating a control signal from said integrated current signal; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
156 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having a developer roller for transporting a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with the toner particles, wherein the improvement includes: a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture; means for producing a voltage difference between said probe and the developer roller; means for detecting the current flowing through said probe having means for generating a current signal corresponding to said current and means for integrating said current signal to average the noise contribution to said current; means for generating a control signal from said integrated current signal; means for storing a supply of toner particles; and means, responsive to the control signal, for dispensing toner particles from said storing means into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein, including the steps of: transporting the developer mixture on a developer roller; producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon by switching the polarity of the voltage difference between the probe and the developer roller so that a first current and a second current flow through the probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; detecting the first and second current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal as a function of the difference between the detected first current and detected second current; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof in response to the control signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein, including the steps of: transporting the developer mixture on a developer roller; producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon by switching the polarity of the voltage difference between the probe and the developer roller so that a first current and a second current flow through the probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; detecting the first and second current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal as a function of the difference between the detected first current and detected second current; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof in response to the control signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said step of producing includes the step of applying an electrical potential to the probe with the developer roller being electrically grounded.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 9, wherein said step of producing includes applying an electrical potential to the developer roller.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of electrophotographic printing of the type in which a developer roller transports a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with toner particles, wherein the improvement includes the steps of: producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon by switching the polarity of the voltage difference between the probe and the developer roller so that a first current and a second current flow through the probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; detecting the first and second current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal as a function of the difference between the detected first current and detected second current; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration therein in response to the control signal.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
175 words
A method of electrophotographic printing of the type in which a developer roller transports a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with toner particles, wherein the improvement includes the steps of: producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon by switching the polarity of the voltage difference between the probe and the developer roller so that a first current and a second current flow through the probe corresponding to the respective polarities of the voltage difference; detecting the first and second current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal as a function of the difference between the detected first current and detected second current; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration therein in response to the control signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method of printing according to claim 12, wherein said step of producing includes the step of applying an electrical potential to the probe with the developer roller being electrically grounded.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method of printing according to claim 12, wherein said step of producing includes the step of applying an electrical potential on the developer roller.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein, including the steps of: transporting the developer mixture on a developer roller; producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon; detecting the current flowing through the probe; generating a current signal corresponding to an average current flowing in said probe by integrating the current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal in response to the current signal; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof in response to the control signal.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
124 words
A method for regulating the developability of a conductive developer mixture having toner particles therein, including the steps of: transporting the developer mixture on a developer roller; producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon; detecting the current flowing through the probe; generating a current signal corresponding to an average current flowing in said probe by integrating the current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal in response to the current signal; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration thereof in response to the control signal.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of electrophotographic printing of the type in which a developer roller transports a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with toner particles, wherein the improvement includes the steps of: producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon; detecting the current flowing through the probe; generating a current signal corresponding to an average current flowing in said probe by integrating the current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal in response to the current signal; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration therein in response to the control signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
147 words
A method of electrophotographic printing of the type in which a developer roller transports a conductive developer mixture comprising toner particles into contact with an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive surface so as to develop the latent image with toner particles, wherein the improvement includes the steps of: producing a voltage difference between the developer roller and a probe disposed closely adjacent to the developer roller and in contact with the developer mixture thereon; detecting the current flowing through the probe; generating a current signal corresponding to an average current flowing in said probe by integrating the current flowing through the probe; generating a control signal in response to the current signal; storing a supply of toner particles in a container; and dispensing toner particles from the container into the developer mixture to adjust the toner particle concentration therein in response to the control signal.
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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) | 1985-08-09 | 1986-02-08 | 1986-08-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-08-09 | 1990-02-08 | 1990-08-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-08-09 | 1994-02-08 | 1994-08-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |