US4884109A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for developing electrostatic images
Assignee: Eastman Kodak Co
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Filing: 1988-07-06
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Granted: 1989-11-28
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Expires: 2008-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A device for developing electrostatic images includes a toner supply chamber for holding a supply of dry toner and a feed member located generally at the bottom of the supply chamber. To break up agglomeration of toner in the supply chamber an agitator, for example an elongated polypropylene fiber brush, is placed on top of the feed member and is supported totally at its periphery by the feed member and associated walls of the supply chamber. As the feed member rotates, the agitator is rotated to maintain the toner in particulate form.
Inventors
- 👤 Lawrence A. Hill
- 👤 Michael F. Jacobs
- 👤 Arthur S. Kroll
- 👤 Ralph E. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 02:03
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03G; G03G15/00; G03G15/06; G03G15/08; G03G15/0822; G03G15/0887; G03G15/0889; G03G15/0877
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for developing electrostatic images including a housing defining a chamber for holding a supply of finely divided, dry, particulate toner, a feed member located generally at the bottom of the chamber which feed member is rotatable to transport toner out of said chamber into another portion of the device where the toner is used to develop electrostatic images, said chamber being defined by walls shaped to urge toner to said feed member under the force of gravity, characterized by an agitator located in said chamber and rotatable by peripheral engagement with said feed member said agitator having an end to end curvature sufficient to cause a periodic impact with a wall of the chamber to dislodge toner.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
119 words
A device for developing electrostatic images including a housing defining a chamber for holding a supply of finely divided, dry, particulate toner, a feed member located generally at the bottom of the chamber which feed member is rotatable to transport toner out of said chamber into another portion of the device where the toner is used to develop electrostatic images, said chamber being defined by walls shaped to urge toner to said feed member under the force of gravity, characterized by an agitator located in said chamber and rotatable by peripheral engagement with said feed member said agitator having an end to end curvature sufficient to cause a periodic impact with a wall of the chamber to dislodge toner.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for developing electrostatic images including a housing defining a chamber for holding a supply of finely divided, dry particulate toner, a feed member located generally at the bottom of the chamber which feed member is rotatable to meter toner out of said chamber into another portion of the device where the toner is used to develop elecrostatic images, said chamber being defined by at least one wall that is slanted to urge toner to said feed member under the force of gravity, characterized by an elongated agitating brush located in said chamber, supported by peripheral engagement with said slanted wall and said feed member and rotatable by such peripheral engagement with said feed member said brush being sufficiently curved, end to end, to periodically impact said slanted wall, as said brush is rotated, to dislodge toner.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
138 words
A device for developing electrostatic images including a housing defining a chamber for holding a supply of finely divided, dry particulate toner, a feed member located generally at the bottom of the chamber which feed member is rotatable to meter toner out of said chamber into another portion of the device where the toner is used to develop elecrostatic images, said chamber being defined by at least one wall that is slanted to urge toner to said feed member under the force of gravity, characterized by an elongated agitating brush located in said chamber, supported by peripheral engagement with said slanted wall and said feed member and rotatable by such peripheral engagement with said feed member said brush being sufficiently curved, end to end, to periodically impact said slanted wall, as said brush is rotated, to dislodge toner.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-27 | 1993-05-29 | 1993-11-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-27 | 1997-05-29 | 1997-11-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-27 | 2001-05-29 | 2001-11-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |