US4453493A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Toner recirculating and agitating device for dry process developing apparatus
Assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
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Filing: 1983-03-21
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Granted: 1984-06-12
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Expires: 2003-03-21
Abstract
Abstract In a dry process developing apparatus, a toner recirculating and agitating device includes a regulator member located between a magnet brush forming member and a doctor blade to face the periphery of a developing sleeve at a predetermined spacing therefrom. This spacing is progressively reduced toward the doctor blade to increase the force which tends to recirculate the toner through a predetermined path.
Inventors
- 👤 Noboru Sawayama
- 👤 Masumi Ikesue
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:46
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/09
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
In a developing apparatus including a member for forming a magnet brush of a toner and a toner supply member for supplying the toner to the magnet brush forming member, a toner recirculating and agitating device comprising: a blade member for controlling the magnet brush on the magnet brush forming member to a predetermined thickness; means for guiding the toner scraped by said blade member off the magnet brush forming member from the blade member to the toner supply member; and means for intensifying a force which recirculates the toner which is directed toward said guide means; the guide means comprising a first recirculation path which has an inlet adjacent to and extending upwardly from the blade member and an outlet above the toner supply member, the force intensifying means comprising a second recirculation path which is progressively narrowed as the toner forming the magnet brush approaches the first recirculation path, the second recirculation path being defined by a fixed regulator member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
In a developing apparatus including a member for forming a magnet brush of a toner and a toner supply member for supplying the toner to the magnet brush forming member, a toner recirculating and agitating device comprising: a blade member for controlling the magnet brush on the magnet brush forming member to a predetermined thickness; means for guiding the toner scraped by said blade member off the magnet brush forming member from the blade member to the toner supply member; and means for intensifying a force which recirculates the toner which is directed toward said guide means; the guide means comprising a first recirculation path which has an inlet adjacent to and extending upwardly from the blade member and an outlet above the toner supply member, the force intensifying means comprising a second recirculation path which is progressively narrowed as the toner forming the magnet brush approaches the first recirculation path, the second recirculation path being defined by a fixed regulator member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
59 words
A device as claimed in claim 1, in which the first recirculation path is defined by the blade member, a first toner guide member and a second toner guide member, the regulator member being integral with the second toner guide member and located at a spacing from the magnet brush forming member which progressively decreases toward the blade member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the first toner guide member is integral with the blade member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the second toner guide member comprises a horizontal section adjacent to the blade member and an inclined section adjacent to the toner supply member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
75 words
A device as claimed in claim 2, in which a toner compression ratio due to the progressive decrease in the spacing between the magnet brush forming member and the regulator member is given by the ratio of the largest distance b between the regulator member and the magnet brush forming member to the smallest distance a between the regulator member and the magnet brush forming member, the ratio b/a lying within the range of 2.5-4.5.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4226524A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-06-12 | 1987-12-12 | 1988-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-06-12 | 1991-12-12 | 1992-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-06-12 | 1995-12-12 | 1996-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |