US4602862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Valve for a multi-color development system
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1984-11-16
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Granted: 1986-07-29
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Expires: 2004-11-16
Abstract
Abstract A valve which connects selectably one of a plurality of chambers storing different color developer material therein with a developer housing chamber. The valve has one aperture in communication with one of the chambers and another aperture in communication with the other chamber. A shaft is mounted rotatably in the tube. The shaft has a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in the tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either one of the chambers storing the developer material with the chamber of the developer housing. A seal is interposed between the shaft and the tube for sealing the region therebetween. The seal prevents the escape of developer material from the chamber not connected to the developer housing chamber into the developer housing chamber.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl R. Wyble
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 01:36
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/01; G03G15/0105; G03G15/0126; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0877; G03G15/0887; G03G15/0896; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S222/00; Y10S222/01
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image with developer material of a selected color, including: a housing defining a chamber arranged to receive the developer material; means for transporting the developer material in the chamber of said housing into contact with the latent image; first means for storing a supply of developer material of one color therein; second means for storing a supply of developer material of another color therein; means for connecting selectably either said first storing means or said second storing means with the chamber of said housing so as to discharge developer material of a selected color into the chamber of said housing; and mean for sealing said connecting means to prevent the escape of developer material from said storing means not connected to the chamber of said housing into the chamber of said housing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
138 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image with developer material of a selected color, including: a housing defining a chamber arranged to receive the developer material; means for transporting the developer material in the chamber of said housing into contact with the latent image; first means for storing a supply of developer material of one color therein; second means for storing a supply of developer material of another color therein; means for connecting selectably either said first storing means or said second storing means with the chamber of said housing so as to discharge developer material of a selected color into the chamber of said housing; and mean for sealing said connecting means to prevent the escape of developer material from said storing means not connected to the chamber of said housing into the chamber of said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said connecting means includes: a tube having one aperture in communication with said first storing means and another aperture in communication with said second storing means; and a shaft mounted rotatably in said tube, said shaft having a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in said tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either said first storing means or said second storing means with the chamber of said housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the portion on said shaft is adapted to close both apertures in said tube.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image with developer material of a selected color, including: a housing defining a chamber arranged to receive the developer material; means for transporting the developer material in the chamber of said housing into contact with the latent image; first means for storing a supply of developer material of one color therein; second means for storing a supply of developer material of another color therein; at tube having one aperture in communication with said first storing means and another aperture in communication with said second storing means; a shaft mounted rotatably in said tube, said shaft having a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in said tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either said first storing means or said second storing means with the chamber of said housing; and a flocking material secured to regions of the interior of said tube and being in contact with the shaft to prevent the escape of developer material therebetween.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
170 words
An apparatus for developing a latent image with developer material of a selected color, including: a housing defining a chamber arranged to receive the developer material; means for transporting the developer material in the chamber of said housing into contact with the latent image; first means for storing a supply of developer material of one color therein; second means for storing a supply of developer material of another color therein; at tube having one aperture in communication with said first storing means and another aperture in communication with said second storing means; a shaft mounted rotatably in said tube, said shaft having a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in said tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either said first storing means or said second storing means with the chamber of said housing; and a flocking material secured to regions of the interior of said tube and being in contact with the shaft to prevent the escape of developer material therebetween.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said flocking material includes a multiplicity of fibers extending outwardly from the interior surface of said tube with the free end portions thereof in engagement with said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said multiplicity of fibers are made preferably from a polyamide material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said multiplicity of fibers has a pile density of about 5000 fibers per square inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each fiber of said multiplicity of fibers is about 0.05 inches in length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said shaft is made from a phenolic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
125 words
A valve for connecting selectably one of at least a plurality of chambers storing different color developer materials therein with a developer housing chamber, including: a tube having one aperture in communication with one of the chambers and another aperture in communication with other of the chambers; a shaft mounted rotatably in said tube, said shaft having a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in said tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either one of the chambers storing the developer material with the chamber of said developer housing; and a flocking material secured to regions of the interior of said tube and being in contact with the shaft to prevent the escape of developer material therebetween.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
125 words
A valve for connecting selectably one of at least a plurality of chambers storing different color developer materials therein with a developer housing chamber, including: a tube having one aperture in communication with one of the chambers and another aperture in communication with other of the chambers; a shaft mounted rotatably in said tube, said shaft having a portion thereon adapted to close one of the apertures in said tube with the other aperture remaining open so as to connect selectably either one of the chambers storing the developer material with the chamber of said developer housing; and a flocking material secured to regions of the interior of said tube and being in contact with the shaft to prevent the escape of developer material therebetween.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A valve according to claim 10, wherein the portion on said shaft is adapted to close both apertures in said tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A valve according to claim 10, wherein said flocking material includes a multiplicity of fibers extending outwardly from the interior surface of said tube with the free end portions thereof in engagement with said shaft.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A valve according to claim 12, wherein said multiplicity of fibers are made preferably from a polyamide material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A valve according to claim 13, wherein said multiplicity of fibers has a pile density of about 5000 fibers per square inch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A valve according to claim 14, wherein each fiber of said multiplicity of fibers is about 0.05 inches in length.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
A valve according to claim 12, wherein said shaft is made from a phenolic material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3854449A
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US3910231A
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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) | 1989-07-28 | 1990-01-27 | 1990-07-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-28 | 1994-01-27 | 1994-07-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-28 | 1998-01-27 | 1998-07-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |