US4353637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Development system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
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Filing: 1981-08-31
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Granted: 1982-10-12
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Expires: 2001-08-31
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus in which a supply of developer material stored in the chamber of a housing develops a latent image. A transport, disposed in the chamber, moves the developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof. As developer material is depleted from the housing, the housing moves automatically toward the transport to furnish a continuous supply of developer material thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 Delmer G. Parker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:08
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image including: means, defining a chamber, for storing a supply of developer material therein; means, disposed in the chamber of said storing means, for transporting the developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof; and means for automatically moving said storing means toward said transporting means to provide a continuous supply of developer material to said transporting means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image including: means, defining a chamber, for storing a supply of developer material therein; means, disposed in the chamber of said storing means, for transporting the developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof; and means for automatically moving said storing means toward said transporting means to provide a continuous supply of developer material to said transporting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means includes means for resiliently urging said storing means toward said transporting means in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said resilient means includes a bellows supporting said storing means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said resilient means includes at least one spring supporting said storing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means includes means for applying a substantially uniform force to said storing means to move said storing means toward said transporting means in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said applying means includes a weight coupled to said storing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein said storing means includes a flexible housing.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claims 1, 5 or 6, wherein said storing means includes a substantially rigid housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means moves said storing means toward said transporting means in response to the number of latent images developed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said moving means moves said storing means toward said transporting means in response to the elapse of a pre-selected time period.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the latent image is a magnetic latent image.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the latent image is an electrostatic latent image.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member developed by a roller transporting developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof, wherein the improvement includes: means, defining a chamber, for storing a supply of developer material therein with the roller being disposed in the chamber of said storing means; and means for automatically moving said storing means toward the roller to provide a continuous supply of developer material to the roller.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electrophotographic printing machine of the type having an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member developed by a roller transporting developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof, wherein the improvement includes: means, defining a chamber, for storing a supply of developer material therein with the roller being disposed in the chamber of said storing means; and means for automatically moving said storing means toward the roller to provide a continuous supply of developer material to the roller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said moving means includes means for resiliently urging said storing means toward the roller in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A printing machine according to claim 14, wherein said resilient means includes a bellows supporting said storing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A printing machine according to claim 14, wherein said resilient means includes at least one spring supporting said storing means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
42 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said moving means includes means for applying a substantially uniform force to said storing means to move said storing means toward the roller in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing machine according to claim 17, wherein said applying means includes a weight coupled to said storing means.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing machine according to claims 13, 14, 15 or 16, wherein said storing means includes a flexible housing.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
A printing machine according to claims 13, 17 or 18, wherein said storing means includes a substantially rigid housing.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said moving means moves said storing means toward the roller in response to the number of latent images developed.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A printing machine according to claim 13, wherein said moving means moves said storing means toward the roller in response to the elapse of a pre-selected time period.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of developing a latent image, including the steps of: storing a supply of developer material in the chamber of a housing; transporting the developer material on a roller disposed in the chamber of the housing into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof; and moving automatically the housing toward the roller to provide a continuous supply of developer material to the roller.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of developing a latent image, including the steps of: storing a supply of developer material in the chamber of a housing; transporting the developer material on a roller disposed in the chamber of the housing into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereof; and moving automatically the housing toward the roller to provide a continuous supply of developer material to the roller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of moving includes the step of resiliently urging the housing toward the roller in response to the developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of moving includes the step of applying a substantially uniform force to the housing to move the housing toward the roller in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of moving includes the step of counting the number of latent images developed and moving the housing toward the roller in response to the elapse of a pre-selected number of developed latent images.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of moving includes the step of measuring the elapse of time and moving the housing toward the roller in response to the elapse of a pre-selected time period.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of electrophotographic printing in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed by a roller transporting developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereon, wherein the improvement includes the steps of: storing a supply of developer material in the chamber of a housing with the roller being disposed therein; and moving automatically the housing toward the roller to provide a continuous supply of developer material to the roller.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
80 words
A method of electrophotographic printing in which an electrostatic latent image recorded on a photoconductive member is developed by a roller transporting developer material into contact with the latent image to form a powder image thereon, wherein the improvement includes the steps of: storing a supply of developer material in the chamber of a housing with the roller being disposed therein; and moving automatically the housing toward the roller to provide a continuous supply of developer material to the roller.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said step of moving includes the step of resiliently urging the housing toward the roller in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said step of moving includes a step of applying a substantially uniform force to the housing to move the housing toward the roller in response to developer material being depleted from the chamber thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said step of moving includes the step of counting the number of latent images developed and moving the housing toward the roller in response to the elapse and a pre-selected number of developed latent images.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method according to claim 28, wherein said step of moving includes the step of measuring the elapse of time and moving the housing toward the roller in response to the elapse of a pre-selected time period.
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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) | 1985-10-11 | 1986-04-12 | 1986-10-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-10-11 | 1990-04-12 | 1990-10-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-10-11 | 1994-04-12 | 1994-10-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |