US4876575A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Printing apparatus including apparatus and method for charging and metering toner particles
Assignee: Xerox Corp
•
Filing: 1988-05-31
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Granted: 1989-10-24
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Expires: 2008-05-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention relates to a development apparatus including structure for the dynamic toner metering and charging of nonmagnetic single component toner. To this end there is provided a flexible, rotating rod having an electrical bias applied thereto. The rod is captured or supported by a distributed bearing attached to a compliant blade. A toner cleaning blade held against the rod serves as a toner seal. The flexible rod is supported in a self-spaced relationship to a rigid donor roll which transports the charged toner to a development zone intermediate the donor roll and an imaging member. Self-spacing is provided by a layer of toner on the donor structure. The donor roll and flexible rod form a toner metering and charging zone through which toner is moved to simultaneously charge and meter the toner particles. The roll and flexible rod are rotated in opposite directions for controlling the metering and charging of the toner in the nip.
Inventors
- 👤 Dan A. Hays
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 23:17
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0806; G03G15/0812; G03G2215/00; G03G2215/06; G03G2215/0602; G03G2215/0604; G03G2215/0614; G03G2215/0619; G03G2215/0634; G03G2215/0636; G03G2215/0643
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for developing latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface with toner, said apparatus comprising: a supply of toner; a donor structure supported for movement in an endless path for conveying toner from said supply of toner to an area opposite said charge retentive surface; means including a flexible rod, supported in contact with toner on said donor structure and disposed between it and said donor structure, for effecting metering and charging of said toner without being adversely affected by runout of said donor structure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
Apparatus for developing latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface with toner, said apparatus comprising: a supply of toner; a donor structure supported for movement in an endless path for conveying toner from said supply of toner to an area opposite said charge retentive surface; means including a flexible rod, supported in contact with toner on said donor structure and disposed between it and said donor structure, for effecting metering and charging of said toner without being adversely affected by runout of said donor structure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said donor structure comprises a rigid roll.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said flexible rod has a relatively small diameter.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the diameter of said flexible rod is in the order of 0.100 to 0.125 inch.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flexible rod is fabricated from metal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein said flexible rod is fabricated from metalized plastic.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 including a distributed bearing for operatively supporting said flexible rod.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said bearing structure comprises an L-shaped segment and the foot thereof is crenellated.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 8 including a cleaning blade carried by said bearing structure and contacting said flexible rod.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 including means for applying an electrical bias to said flexible rod.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 10 wherein said donor structure is spaced a small distance from said charge retentive surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 11 including means for applying an electrical bias to said donor structure.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said flexible rod is rotatable.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said donor structure is a non-magnet member member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said donor structure is a non-magnetic member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
113 words
Printing apparatus including means for forming latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface and rendering them visible with toner particles, said apparatus comprising: means for forming latent images on said charge retentive surface; means for rendering said latent images visible including: a supply of toner; a donor structure supported for movement in an endless path for conveying toner from said supply of toner to an area opposite said charge retentive surface; and means including a flexible rod, supported in contact with toner on said donor structure and disposed between it and said donor structure, for effecting metering and charging of said toner without being adversely affected by runout of said donor structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
113 words
Printing apparatus including means for forming latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface and rendering them visible with toner particles, said apparatus comprising: means for forming latent images on said charge retentive surface; means for rendering said latent images visible including: a supply of toner; a donor structure supported for movement in an endless path for conveying toner from said supply of toner to an area opposite said charge retentive surface; and means including a flexible rod, supported in contact with toner on said donor structure and disposed between it and said donor structure, for effecting metering and charging of said toner without being adversely affected by runout of said donor structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said donor structure comprises a rigid roll.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein said flexible rod has a relatively small diameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein the diameter of said flexible rod is in the order of 0.100 to 0.125 inch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said flexible rod is fabricated from metal.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 19 wherein said flexible rod is fabricated from metalized plastic.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 including a distributed bearing for operatively supporting said flexible rod.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said bearing structure comprises an L-shaped segment and the foot thereof is crenellated.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 23 including a cleaning blade carried by said bearing structure and contacting said flexible rod.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 24 including means for applying an electrical bias to said flexible rod.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus according to claim 25 wherein said donor structure is spaced a small distance from said charge retentive surface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 26 including means for applying an electrical bias to said donor structure.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein said donor structure is a non-magnet member member.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
145 words
Printing apparatus including means for forming latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface and rendering them visible with toner particles, said apparatus comprising: means for forming latent images on said charge retentive surface; means for rendering said latent images visible including: a supply of toner; a donor structure supported for movement in an endless path for conveying toner from said supply of toner to an area opposite said charge retentive surface; means disposed intermediate said donor structure and said charge retentive surface for effecting detachment of toner from the surface of said donor structure and causing it to contact the charge retentive surface; and means including a flexible rod, supported in contact with toner on said donor structure and disposed between it and said donor structure, for effecting metering and charging of said toner without being adversely affected by runout of said donor structure.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
145 words
Printing apparatus including means for forming latent electrostatic images on a charge retentive surface and rendering them visible with toner particles, said apparatus comprising: means for forming latent images on said charge retentive surface; means for rendering said latent images visible including: a supply of toner; a donor structure supported for movement in an endless path for conveying toner from said supply of toner to an area opposite said charge retentive surface; means disposed intermediate said donor structure and said charge retentive surface for effecting detachment of toner from the surface of said donor structure and causing it to contact the charge retentive surface; and means including a flexible rod, supported in contact with toner on said donor structure and disposed between it and said donor structure, for effecting metering and charging of said toner without being adversely affected by runout of said donor structure.
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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) | 1992-10-23 | 1993-04-24 | 1993-10-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-23 | 1997-04-24 | 1997-10-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-23 | 2001-04-24 | 2001-10-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |